The Chicago Cubs are on the verge of signing star center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to a long-term extension, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Once finalized, this deal will ensure that one of baseball’s top defensive players stays with the team for years to come.
Last spring, the Cubs aimed to secure an agreement with Crow-Armstrong, who had just wrapped up a rookie season posting a modest .237 average. Despite this, the team believed he had more potential in his bat. His defensive skills, however, were never in question.
A year later, Crow-Armstrong’s stock has risen significantly. He hit 31 home runs and collected 72 extra-base hits last season, proving he can be a threat at the plate. He also stole 35 bases, joining the exclusive 30-30 club, which only seven players achieved last year. Defensively, he led all outfielders with a remarkable 24 Outs Above Average and ranked second among center fielders with 15 Defensive Runs Saved.
For much of the last season, Crow-Armstrong was a contender for the NL MVP. His strong performance included 27 home runs and an impressive .272 batting average by the end of July. However, he struggled towards the season’s close, batting just .188 over his final 200 at-bats, which impacted his MVP ranking, dropping him to ninth. Still, he received his first All-Star selection and Gold Glove awards.
Despite his struggles in the postseason, where he hit only .185, Crow-Armstrong showed improvement this spring during the World Baseball Classic. His late-season slump raises questions about his consistency at the plate. Crow-Armstrong is known for being aggressive—he swings at almost 60% of the pitches he sees, the highest rate among players with 500 or more plate appearances. This approach has led to a low walk rate of under 5% and a strikeout rate around 24%.
Yet, Crow-Armstrong’s potential remains high. His defensive skills are stellar, and he possesses fantastic speed and arm strength. Even if his batting fluctuates, his glove work offers a reliable baseline. When he’s on his game, he can significantly impact the lineup, as he demonstrated earlier last season. He excels against right-handed pitchers, posting a .271 average with 24 homers, but has struggled against lefties, batting just .188 in that matchup.
With just a year of experience under his belt, there’s room for growth. As Crow-Armstrong approaches his 24th birthday, he may become more selective at the plate. Experts suggest that while he might not transform into a patient hitter, he can still improve his offensive game. If he averages 10-15% better than league average, he will remain a valuable player in the National League. Last year, both FanGraphs and Baseball Reference estimated his value at around 5-6 wins above replacement. His all-out style of play has already made him a fan favorite, symbolizing the Cubs’ future.
Crow-Armstrong’s journey is one to watch as the Cubs build their team around young talent. His combination of defensive prowess and the potential for offensive improvement could make him a cornerstone of the franchise for many seasons to come.
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