Chicago Cubs Star Prospect Not Expected To Start In Center Field

In a shocking evaluation of where the Chicago Cubs' roster is currently at heading into 2024, it doesn't seem like their star prospect will begin the year as the starting center fielder.

There's no doubt that the Chicago Cubs' offseason has been super disappointing so far. Not landing Shohei Ohtani (again) and missing out on Juan Soto in a trade has been a sobering reality after it started off with a bang.

Plenty of time is still left for them to add impact pieces and there are still elite players available in free agency, and on the trade block, who the Cubs could pursue.

Yet, as things stand right now, if there aren't major additions, Chicago's top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong would seemingly be the starting center fielder after getting called-up to end last season.

Actually, don't be so sure about that.

Brett Taylor of Bleacher Nation, writes, "I think we’re most likely to see Mike Tauchman open the year as the semi-regular center fielder, perhaps splitting time with Alexander Canario if the Cubs feel he can handle the position."

That's very interesting.

Mike Tauchman was the Cubs' center fielder last year for 81 games after being called-up from Triple-A. His veteran presence and experienced bat probably gives them a better option to compete right now than Crow-Armstrong would.

But, Canario also was called-up last season and only appeared in six games.

Why would he get the nod at the Major League level over the organizations' No. 1 prospect?

"Because the Cubs can’t go into 2024 PLANNING on Crow-Armstrong DEFINITELY being ready on Day One. It would be the wrong thing to do from a competitive standpoint, and the wrong thing to do from a player development standpoint. Instead, you want to leave open the OPPORTUNITY for PCA to start in center field on Day One. Don’t close that door – but also don’t create the pressure for him to have to walk through it right away," Taylor writes.

He goes on to mention that the coveted outfielder could actually start the year at Triple-A to make sure he's ready from an offensive standpoint, before getting more work in the MLB.

Chicago seems ready for Crow-Armstrong to get work at center field everyday eventually, but that might have to wait a while longer before it happens.