Every adult understands how one year means something different for kids than it does adults. One year represents 14% or 16% of a seven-year-old or six-year-old’s life and thus, seems to take forever. The older you get the quicker time flies. Yet, when we talk about 20+-year-old athletes, we lump them all together.

The hype for Cubs prospect, Pete Crow-Armstrong, has been through the roof and it’s not just coming from the Cubs. He’s already being tabbed as the best defensive outfielder in the minors. That hasn’t even translated to ST ball in the Cactus League this year.

The other day, the Cubs and manager, Craig Counsell announced that PCA would not be making the 26-man roster. Quite frankly, he didn’t earn the gig, but some in the Chicago media act surprised, while excusing him because he’s only 21. They forgot that he entered ST a 21-year-old, but wanted to badly to believe the hype-that he was ready to assume the role of fourth outfielder at the very least. He isn’t and that’s okay, if his ceiling is as high as we believe it to be.

Getting back to age and time being relative, the Cubs have another prospect that appears to have a secure spot on the 26-man roster. Newly acquired, corner infielder, Michael Busch, appears to have locked up the first base job. However, his ST numbers are mediocre at best, he’s currently hitting .238 with one homer and 2 RBI in 21 at-bats. The difference is Busch is 26 years old and has a track record (although heavy on the minor league numbers). He has five years’ experience on Crow-Armstrong and every guy that’s 21 years old.

The Crow-Armstrong/Busch situation is hardly unique. The age difference is one measure of how the media, fans, and teams evaluate players. Everyone is afforded a different length leash. 98.6% of 21-year-old prospects require more at-bats or innings at the minor league level no matter the external pressure to rush.

One of the problems with PCA specifically is his likeability factor. He interviews well and says all the right things. People like his (acting) genetics and he hasn’t done anything wrong off the field. We want him to succeed and quickly.

Each season, teams have to make similar difficult decisions. Sometimes management falls flat on their collective faces, and we’ll figure out in June if the Cubs were right.