CGC Featured Card of the Month: 2024 Topps Cosmic Chrome #52 Pete Crow-Armstrong

Sport: Baseball

Set: 2024 Topps Cosmic Chrome

Card: #52 Pete Crow-Armstrong

What makes it special? Drafted by the New York Mets out of high school at only 18 years old, Pete Crow-Armstrong was selected with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft. After not playing in the minor leagues that year because of the cancellation of the season due to the pandemic, the young outfielder suffered a right shoulder injury that would sideline him for the 2021 season. In July 2021, the Mets traded Crow-Armstrong to the Chicago Cubs, where he started to make a name for himself in the minors during the 2022 season.

While playing in the High-A Midwest League for the South Bend Cubs, Crow-Armstrong was selected to participate in the All-Star Futures Game as part of that year's MLB All-Star Game festivities. He went on to earn an MiLB Gold Glove Award (given to the three best defensive outfielders in the minor leagues), while also helping South Bend win the Midwest League championship. His progress continued in 2023, as Crow-Armstrong began the season as Chicago's No. 1 prospect and the MLB's No. 6-ranked outfielder prospect. After moving through the ranks of Double-A and Triple-A, he was called up to majors in September 2023, making his MLB debut as a pinch runner before starting in center field the next game.

After a slow start to his MLB career, Crow-Armstrong found his footing during his first full rookie season in 2024. With lightning quick speed and gifted defensive abilities in the outfield, he started to make a real impact on games, ending the season as the second-best defensive outfielder and tied for the third-fastest baserunner in the majors. By the 2025 season, the center fielder was earning recognition across the league. He earned his first All-Star selection and was named the starting center fielder for the National League, joined the 30-30 club (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases), was awarded his first career MLB Gold Glove Award, and helped the Cubs make the playoffs.

Still only 24 years old, Crow-Armstrong is already one of Chicago’s most important and high-profile players. As the 2026 MLB season now enters the dog days of summer, he has earned his second MLB All-Star selection, with Crow-Armstrong continually making contributions in every phase of the game. The dynamic outfielder currently sits in the top 10 in hits, total bases, stolen bases, OPS (On Base % + Slugging %), and is first in the MLB in WAR (Wins Above Replacement). With another Gold Glove looking to be likely in his future, and the Cubs having one of the better team records in a tough National League, Crow-Armstrong and his teammates are in a good position to make another playoff push in the second half of the season.

Did you know? During the 2025 MLB season, Crow-Armstrong set several historic milestones. After stealing his 20th base of the season, he became the fourth-fastest MLB player since 1900 to record 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases, which were recorded in only 60 games. He then became the fourth-fastest player in MLB history to reach at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in a season, taking 92 games to reach the milestone. Crow-Armstrong would go on to become only the second player in Cubs history to record a 30-30 season when he finished the year with 31 home runs and 35 stolen bases.

After a slow start to the 2026 season, the center fielder has bounced back and then some, with blistering performances throughout June that earned him NL Player of the Month recognition. Across 26 games, Crow-Armstrong recorded a .381 batting average, 40 hits, 11 home runs, three triples, five doubles, eight stolen bases, 20 RBIs, and scored 21 runs. In the Chicago Cubs' more than 120-year history, no player has ever recorded at least 40 hits, 11 home runs, 21 runs, 20 RBIs, and eight steals in a single month.

Total graded by CGC: There are 15 graded examples of the standard card in the CGC Cards Population Report, as of early July 2026. CGC has also graded multiple parallels of the same card: Nucleus Refractor (2), Refractor (1), Aqua Equinox Refractor (1), Green Space Dust Refractor (1), Orange Galactic Refractor (1), and Purple Nebula Refractor (1).

CGC median grade: CGC Gem Mint 10

CGC highest graded: Out of 22 total graded base and parallel examples, 13 base cards earned a grade of CGC Gem Mint 10 but no parallels earned Gem Mint 10s. No base set or parallel cards have received the coveted CGC Pristine 10 grade.

Sales highlights: Four examples of the 2024 Topps Cosmic Chrome #52 rookie card have sold through Fanatics Collect, which were each parallels certified as CGC Authentic. The Orange Galactic Refractor realized $62.40 in January 2025, the Purple Nebula Refractor realized $54 in May 2025, the Aqua Equinox Refractor realized $18 in January 2025, and the Green Space Dust Refractor realized $14.40 in February 2025 (each pictured above).

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