Chicago Cubs News: MLB Pipeline Top 100 update highlights team's top prospects
MLB Pipleline updated their Top-100 prospect list and the update featured a move into the Top-10 for Cubs' top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong and fall for outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara.
After a breakout season in his first season with the Chicago Cubs organization in 2022, there was an expectation that top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong will become a Top-10 prospect in all of Major League Baseball by the time the 2023 season concluded.
The first half of the 2023 Major League Baseball season is nearing its end but Crow-Armstrong has already met the expectation. In an update to their MLB Top-100 prospect list, MLB Pipeline ranks the Cubs' center field prospect as the tenth-best prospect in all of baseball.
Top 15
1. Jackson Holliday, SS, Orioles
2. Elly De La Cruz, SS/3B, Reds
3. Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers
4. Eury Pérez, RHP, Marlins
5. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox
6. James Wood, OF, Nationals
7. Jordan Lawlar, SS, D-backs
8. Evan Carter, OF, Rangers
9. Bobby Miller, RHP, Dodgers
10. Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs
11. Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies
12. Jackson Merrill, SS, Padres
13. Gavin Williams, RHP, Guardians
14. Kyle Harrison, LHP, Giants
15. Colton Cowser, OF, Orioles
Crow-Armstrong has thrived with Double-A Tennessee this season. In 245 plate appearances this season, Crow-Armstrong is slashing .280/.363/.491 with a 130 wRC+. Crow-Armstrong is proving that his 2022 offensive production is sustainable given the success that he has had this season. What makes Crow-Armstrong's 2023 numbers even more impressive is that Double-A is experimenting with a pre-tacked ball that has given a significant advantage to pitchers.
Once the first half of the Tennessee Smokies' season concludes in July, a move to Triple-A Iowa should be expected for Crow-Armstrong.
Speaking of Triple-A Iowa, Iowa Cubs' starting pitcher Ben Brown enters the Top-100 prospect list as he makes his debut at No. 77. After dominating Double-A with a 0.45 ERA and 39% strikeout percentage, the Cubs promoted Brown to Triple-A after four starts this season. Brown has had mixed results at the Triple-A level through 10 starts as he has an ERA of 4.95 and FIP of 4.72 but he is still missing bats with a 33.2 strikeout percentage.
It should be no surprise that Brennen Davis has fallen out of MLB Pipeline's Top 100 but what is a surprise is that Kevin Alcantara has as well. MLB Pipeline is down on Alcantara after his offensive struggles to start the season with high Class-A but it is worth noting that the outfielder is slashing .315/.375/.479 during the month of June with a wRC+ of 144.