The praise for Chicago Cubs top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong continues to roll in.
On Monday morning, Crow-Armstrong reached Top-10 prospect status in all of Major League Baseball with the latest release of MLB Pipeline's Top-100 prospect list.
Shortly after that reveal, the Tennessee Smokies teased a major announcement for Tuesday with a picture of Crow-Armstrong.
The initial speculation after this tweet was shared was that Crow-Armstrong was going to be promoted to Triple-A Iowa. Crow-Armstrong has been having offensive success with the Tennessee Smokies this season and his recent improvement with taking walks may have been the last hurdle to clear before a promotion. Still, it seems unlikely that the team would allow an affiliate to leak the news of a major promotion before the move actually occurred.
On Monday night, we learned what the announcement may be as Crow-Armstrong was announced as one of the prospects that will be participating in the 2023 Major League Baseball Futures Game. This marks the second consecutive season for Crow-Armstrong in which he will be playing in Major League Baseball's showcase of top prospect.
Crow-Armstrong went 1-for-2 during the 2022 iteration of the game. Crow-Armstrong and the National League Futures team lost to the American League Futures team last season.
In 245 plate appearances in Double-A this season, Crow-Armstrong is slashing .280/.363/.491 with a 130 wRC+. Crow-Armstrong's success this season has lent credence that his offensive profile will translate to the Major League level.
The 2023 MLB Futures Game seemingly would mark a good stopping point for Crow-Armstrong's time at the Double-A level. If Crow-Armstrong is going to be a part of the team's plans at the Major League level in 2024, giving him an extended run at the Triple-A level to end the season would be in the Cubs' best interest.
Joining Crow-Armstrong in the 2023 MLB Futures Game will be fellow Cubs' propsect BJ. Murray Jr. With the Smokies this season, Murray is slashing .258/.376/.446 with a wRC+ of 126.