Pete Crow-Armstrong's ascension is reaching historic levels in Cubs' rookie season

The Pete Crow-Armstrong experience was on full display during the Chicago Cubs' victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

Armstrong was 4-for-4 on Wednesday including an intentional walk in the ninth inning of the comeback victory. Outside of Armstrong recording his first 4-for-4 day of his Major League career on Wednesday, what was most impressive was that he scored a run in 4 of the 5 total times that he was on base.

Armstrong's series against the Pirates this week was a sign of his growth as an offensive player over the past month. In fact, Armstrong's efforts against the Pirates were a historic performance.

In the closing days of August, we can begin to look at this current month's worth of games as a data set for the Cubs' top prospect. In 90 plate appearances this month, serving primarily as the Cubs' starting center fielder, Crow-Armstrong is slashing .329/.398/.582 with 4 home runs, 16 runs scored, and wRC+ of 168.

What Cubs fans have seen from Crow-Armstrong this month isn't a scenario where you have to manipulate recent game logs to squint and see some progression. The offensive progression of Crow-Armstrong this month has been obvious.

Pete Crow-Armstrong is becoming a catalyst for the Cubs' offense.

Crow-Armstrong may not be the leadoff hitter for the Cubs' offense, but over the past month, he has proven to be the accelerator the team needs. When Crow-Armstrong is on base, he makes things happen.

For as many local pundits that made loud declarations earlier this offseason about Crow-Armstrong being a bust depsite him being a 22-year-old rookie in the first months of his first full-season at the Major League level, his ascension also serves as a important reminder for the season ahead.

Development is not linear. The Cubs will see other top prospects, such as Owen Caissie, Matt Shaw, and Kevin Alcantara, make their Major League debuts either in September or during the first half of the 2025 season. If those prospects struggle right away as Crow-Armstrong did, that doesn't mean we have to jump out to be the first one with the hot take of saying they are bust.