The Cubs’ season ended on Sunday and one player already received an individual accolade – centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong was named Defensive Player of the Year for all of minor league baseball. In the inaugural MiLB awards show, the 21-year-old was recognized as the best defensive player across all leagues.
Crow-Armstrong entered the season as the Cubs’ #1 prospect according to Lance Brozdowski and in 2023, he spent time at Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa before making his major league debut in September.
In the minor leagues, Crow-Armstrong played 767.0 innings in center field and on 235 defensive chances, he had 227 putouts and 2 assists with only 6 errors.
The centerfielder immediately showed his defensive prowess at the major league level, making two spectacular catches in his first Cubs’ debut against the Colorado Rockies.
This comes after the Cubs named prospects Moises Ballesteros the Buck O’Neil Minor League Player of the Year and Horton the Vedie Himsl Minor League Pitcher of the Year last week.
Chicago hopes Crow-Armstrong can take a step forward offensively next season but if this award is any indication, Crow-Armstrong can be a fundamental defensive piece for years to come.
