Hit: 60 Power: 45 Speed: 60 Fielding: 80 Arm: 55 BA Grade: 60 Risk: High
Born: March 25, 2002. B-T: L-L. HT: 6-0. WT: 184.
Drafted: HS—Los Angeles, 2020 (1st round).
Signed by: Rusty McNamara (Mets).
TRACK RECORD: Crow-Armstrong grew up in the shadow of Hollywood as the son of actors Ashley Crow and Matthew Armstrong. Rather than follow his parents into acting, Crow-Armstrong found fame on the baseball diamond. He emerged as a budding star at a young age and was selected for USA Baseball’s 12U, 15U and 18U national teams. He starred at Harvard-Westlake High, the same school that produced all-star pitchers Lucas Giolito, Max Fried and Jack Flaherty, and graduated as the program’s all-time leader in hits and runs despite his senior season being cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. The Mets drafted him 19th overall and signed him for $3.359 million. Crow-Armstrong’s pro debut in 2021 ended after just six games due to a torn labrum in his right shoulder, but the Cubs still acquired him at the trade deadline for Javier Baez and Trevor Williams. Crow-Armstrong rewarded the Cubs’ faith in 2022, finishing among the organization’s leaders in batting average (.312), hits (132), runs (89) and stolen bases (32) across the Class A levels and earning a selection to the Futures Game.
Crow-Armstrong has long been known for his sensational defense in center field, but he’s a threat at the plate, too. He has a discerning eye for the strike zone and makes frequent contact with a fast and fluid lefthanded swing. He stays balanced through his swing and has exceptional hand-eye coordination that allows him to hit pitches in any part of the zone. He occasionally gets jammed and is prone to weak contact, but he has the advanced instincts and self-awareness to adjust his setup and timing to close his holes. Crow-Armstrong is a contact hitter and primarily hits hard line drives all over the field, but he has begun showing average pull-side power and could add more as he physically matures. He is progressively getting stronger and posted the highest exit velocities of his career in 2022. Crow-Armstrong enhances his offense with his plus speed and a high-energy style of play. He is a threat to steal
