Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has quickly risen from a top prospect to a leading player in Major League Baseball. This season, he is batting .289 with 19 home runs and 49 RBIs over 89 games and currently leads MLB with a 5.2 Wins Above Replacement (WAR). His skill set combines power, speed, and defensive prowess, highlighted by an exceptional June in which he hit 11 home runs and posted a .381 batting average, earning him National League Player of the Month honors.

Crow-Armstrong’s journey to stardom included a surprising moment during the 2020 MLB Draft. Although the New York Mets picked him 19th overall in the first round, he recalled being “surprised” by their lack of pre-draft communication, despite talking to nearly 30 teams ahead of the draft. He had expected to end up with the Milwaukee Brewers based on earlier interest but was ultimately selected by the Mets amidst limited direct contact from them.

His relationship with the Mets was short-lived, as Crow-Armstrong was traded to the Cubs in July 2021 in a deal involving Javier Baez and Trevor Williams. This trade has since become a defining move in Chicago’s rebuilding efforts. Crow-Armstrong has evolved into a franchise cornerstone, providing the Cubs with a dynamic and versatile talent who is now a two-time National League All-Star and a genuine MVP candidate.

The Cubs are clearly benefiting from the Mets’ draft-day decision, with Crow-Armstrong becoming a key figure in their push towards postseason contention. His rapid development serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball careers, in which a player overlooked in communication can grow into a superstar in another organization. This situation may prompt some regret for the Mets as they watch their former first-round pick thrive elsewhere.