Chicago Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has garnered the most All-Star votes among National League outfielders and ranks fourth overall among all players. The 23-year-old\'s breakout season includes 19 home runs, 23 stolen bases, and exceptional defensive play that has Cubs fans chanting \"MVP.\"
Crow-Armstrong ranks third in baseball in stolen bases while leading all outfielders in defensive runs saved. His offensive surge began during an April series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his hometown, transforming him from a .200 hitter into a legitimate MVP candidate.
\"He\'s playing at as high a level that I\'ve seen a center fielder play,\" Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. \"We\'re 70 games in but how he\'s playing it, it\'s as good as I\'ve seen.\"
Despite his 6-foot, 184-pound frame, Crow-Armstrong has demonstrated surprising power throughout the strike zone. According to ESPN Research, he hit the second-furthest pitch from the strike zone for a home run this season and the lowest pitch for a home run.
Since April 13, Crow-Armstrong has posted a .959 OPS with all 19 home runs and 17 stolen bases. He\'s batting .342 with runners in scoring position and tied for the league lead with eight home runs in those situations.
\"The power in all zones is crazy,\" teammate Justin Turner said. \"Usually, power guys have a sweet spot. He really doesn\'t have a sweet spot. When he\'s on time and ready to go, it doesn\'t matter where it\'s at.\"
His aggressive approach includes a 43% chase rate, second highest among qualified hitters. However, he has nine extra-base hits on pitches outside the strike zone, consistently punishing pitcher\'s pitches.
\"He\'s hitting the ones he\'s supposed to hit and hitting the ones he\'s not supposed to hit,\" Cincinnati Reds reliever Brent Suter said.
Crow-Armstrong\'s infectious energy has made him one of baseball\'s most marketable young stars. He ranks sixth among all players in Instagram follower growth percentage this season, according to league data.
His genuine interactions with fans, particularly children, have endeared him to the Wrigley Field faithful. The combination of on-field excellence and authentic personality has created a unique fan favorite.
\"He\'s incredibly kind and genuine and full of energy and good with kids,\" teammate Dansby Swanson said. \"Energy is attractive. He\'s full of it.\"
\"He always makes time for people, especially kids,\" catcher Carson Kelly added. \"True professional but has that kid in him. It\'s why the younger generation probably gravitates towards him.\"
Crow-Armstrong joined Chicago in 2021 as part of the Javier Baez trade with the New York Mets. A shoulder injury that required surgery may have made him available, as Cubs president Jed Hoyer targeted Single-A prospects while other teams focused on higher-level players.
\"Honestly, we were fortunate he was hurt,\" Hoyer said. \"Out of sight, out of mind a little bit.\"
The former Harvard-Westlake High School standout currently leads all NL players in fWAR, surpassing even Shohei Ohtani. His combination of speed, power, and defensive excellence has established him as baseball\'s emerging superstar.
Crow-Armstrong\'s impact extends beyond statistics, with opposing managers acknowledging his complete skill set. Cincinnati\'s Terry Francona has witnessed the full scope of his abilities firsthand through six games this season.
\"You don\'t know what his ceiling is,\" Francona said. \"He can do it all. I hear people say he doesn\'t walk and everything, but that\'s probably how he\'s a good hitter. He\'s aggressive. He can beat you with his legs. He can hit the ball out of the ballpark.\"
The Cubs have found their franchise centerpiece in the young outfielder, whose natural talent and engaging personality position him as baseball\'s next breakout star.