As the Cubs embark on a new campaign with a new manager (Craig Counsell) at the helm, we answer 24 of the most pressing questions for the 2024 season.

When the Cubs re-signed Cody Bellinger, it essentially sealed the fate for Pete Crow-Armstrong.

The team had already invested in giving Michael Busch an opportunity at first base, thus Bellinger is locked in to center field — at least to start the year.

Crow-Armstrong is the Cubs’ top prospect and seen as one of the best in all of baseball. But the 21-year-old still has some developing to do and the Cubs want him to play every single day.

So when the first round of spring cuts came around last week, Crow-Armstrong was among them. Barring an unforeseen circumstance in the final couple weeks of Spring Training, he will start the year with Triple-A Iowa.

“He needs to just play baseball and learn from his experiences playing baseball,” manager Craig Counsell said. “The younger you are, the more you just have not experienced yet. And so just do that and he’s gonna get better quickly. That’s how it’s gonna work for him.”

Crow-Armstrong made his MLB debut late last season but is still searching for his first hit. He went 0-for-14 at the plate with 3 walks, 2 stolen bases and 3 runs scored.

In the minors, he tore up the field. The center fielder hit .283/.365/.511 (.876 OPS) last season with 20 homers, 82 RBI, 98 runs and 37 stolen bases in 107 games.

Like Counsell said, he simply does not have much experience.

Crow-Armstrong was the Mets’ 1st-round pick (19th overall) in 2020 out of high school, where his senior season was impacted by the pandemic. In 2021, he played in just 6 minor-league games due to a serious shoulder injury.

Last year was his first time playing above A-ball in his career and he spent only 34 games and 158 plate appearances in Triple-A.

The Cubs see a bright future for Crow-Armstrong but they don’t want to rush him.

They also didn’t rule out a path in the middle of the 2024 season where he plays so well in the minors that they simply have no choice but to figure out a way to get him and Bellinger in the lineup at the same time on a daily basis in Chicago.

“Our thought right now is the best place for PCA to start in the minor leagues,” Counsell said, “and then kind of just knock down the door for us and make us figure something else out on the major league side.”

Which is exactly what Crow-Armstrong aims to do.

“I think I can be honest and say that it’ll stink if I don’t break with the team, but also I’m prepared for that, you know?” Crow-Armstrong said earlier this spring. “I’m very understanding of what is already here and what has already worked. You saw it last year.

“I never want to get in the way of winning. So, me wanting to make the team is purely out of my will to try and help. So whenever my time comes to do that and my impact at that time is necessary and then I’m ready, I’ll be just as happy as I would be if I broke with the team.”

24 for ’24 series

What are the Cubs expecting from Kyle Hendricks in 2024 and beyond?
What role will Drew Smyly fill on the 2024 Cubs?
How will Jameson Taillon fare in Year 2 with Cubs?
How will Shota Imanaga handle the adjustment to MLB?
Who will DH for the Cubs?
Who is the Cubs’ fifth starter?
Will defense once again be the Cubs’ strength?
Can Seiya Suzuki pick up where he left off? 
What are the Cubs’ long-term plans at first base?
Have the Cubs done enough to address their left-handed hitting?
Will Justin Steele replicate his stellar 2023 season?
When will Pete Crow-Armstrong be up with the Cubs in Chicago?