Pete Crow-Armstrong

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Pete Crow-Armstrong
Pete Crow-Armstrong (53104160703) (cropped)-2.jpg
Crow-Armstrong with the Iowa Cubs in 2023
Chicago Cubs – No. 4
Center fielder
Born: (2002-03-25) March 25, 2002 (age 23)
Sherman Oaks, California, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 11, 2023, for the Chicago Cubs
Men's baseball
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
U-18 Baseball World Cup
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2019 Gijang Team

Pete Henry Crow-Armstrong [1] (born March 25, 2002), also known by his initials "PCA", is an American professional baseball center fielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023. [2]

Contents

Crow-Armstrong was drafted by the New York Mets with the 19th overall pick of the 2020 MLB draft. During the 2021 trade deadline, he was traded to the Cubs for Javier Báez and Trevor Williams. In 2025, Crow-Armstrong was named to his first All-Star game.

Amateur career

Crow-Armstrong attended Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, California, where he played baseball. [3] In 2019, his junior year, he was named the Los Angeles Times Player of the Year after hitting .395 with three home runs, 23 runs batted in (RBIs), and 47 hits over 34 games, striking out only seven times. [4] That summer, he played in the 2019 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game. [5] In 2020, his senior year, he was batting .514 before the baseball season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He committed to play college baseball at Vanderbilt University before the 2020 MLB draft. [6] [7]

Professional career

New York Mets

2020: MLB draft

Crow-Armstrong was considered one of the top prospects for the 2020 Major League Baseball draft. [8] [9] [10] The New York Mets selected him the first round with the 19th overall selection. He signed with the Mets on June 25 for a bonus of $3.4 million. [11] He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the pandemic. [12]

2021: Minor league debut, injury, and trade

Crow-Armstrong began the 2021 season with the St. Lucie Mets of the Low-A Southeast League. [13] On May 18, it was announced that Crow-Armstrong would undergo surgery on his right shoulder for a glenoid labral articular disruption, ending his season. [14] He hit .417 with four RBIs and two stolen bases in 24 at bats prior to the injury. [15]

Chicago Cubs

On July 30, 2021, the Mets traded Crow-Armstrong to the Chicago Cubs for Javier Báez and Trevor Williams. [16] On September 16, 2024, Crow-Armstrong revealed his feelings about the trade, saying, "I didn’t feel like I was a part of any trade talks that I had seen on TV or anything like that." He continued, "I had a sling on my shoulder… I thought it was a joke." [17]

2022: MWL champion

Crow-Armstrong sliding into second base for the South Bend Cubs. Pete Crow-Armstrong (52442182017) (cropped).jpg
Crow-Armstrong sliding into second base for the South Bend Cubs.

Crow-Armstrong began the 2022 season with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Low-A Carolina League [18] and was promoted to the South Bend Cubs of the High-A Midwest League in late May. [19] He was selected to represent the Cubs at the All-Star Futures Game. [20] He was named a MiLB Gold Glove as one of the three best defensive outfielders in the minor leagues. Crow-Armstrong and South Bend won the Midwest League championship. [21]

2023: MLB debut

On February 6, 2023, Crow-Armstrong was one of the 32 non-roster players invited to the Cubs' spring training camp. [22] He opened the 2023 season withTennessee Smokies of the Double-A Southern League, [23] beginning the season as the Cubs' number one prospect and the sixth-ranked outfielder prospect in MLB. [24] He was selected to represent the Cubs at the All-Star Futures Game. [25]

In 73 games in Double-A, Crow-Armstrong slashed .289/.371/.527 with 14 home runs, 60 RBI, and 27 steals. [26] On July 31, Crow-Armstrong was promoted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. In 34 games for Iowa, he slashed .271/.350/.479 with six home runs, two triples, seven doubles, 30 runs, 38 hits, and 22 RBIs. [27]

On September 11, 2023, after recording a combined .876 OPS in the minors, the Cubs called up Crow-Armstrong to the major leagues for the first time. [28] That day, he made his MLB debut against the Colorado Rockies, entering the game in the seventh inning as a pinch runner but was caught stealing third base. In the ninth inning, he made his first career plate appearance, hitting a sacrifice bunt. [29] Crow-Armstrong made his first MLB start on September 12 in center field. He went 0-for-4 with an RBI fielder's choice and made two highlight-reel plays in the outfield. [30] In 13 games in September, Crow-Armstrong batted 0-for-14 with 3 walks and two stolen bases, coming in as a pinch runner seven times. [31]

Crow-Armstrong with the Iowa Cubs in 2024 Pete Crow-Armstrong 2024 fielding.jpg
Crow-Armstrong with the Iowa Cubs in 2024

2024: Rookie season

Crow-Armstrong was optioned to Triple-A to begin the 2024 season after slashing .138/.194/.435 with four hits and three stolen bases in spring training. [32] He was recalled to the majors on April 24, after an injury to Cody Bellinger. [33] In the sixth inning of the following game, Crow-Armstrong collected his first career hit, a go-ahead two-run home run off of Bryan Abreu of the Houston Astros. [34] Crow-Armstrong hit an inside-the-park home run on August 23 off Max Meyer of the Miami Marlins. It was noted as being the fastest time to home plate from a base hit since 2017 at 14.08 seconds, with a peak sprint speed of 30.4 ft/s (20.7 mph). [35]

In 123 games for the Cubs, he slashed .237/.286/.384 with 10 home runs, 27 stolen bases, six triples, 13 doubles, 46 runs, and 47 RBIs. [36] He was the second-best defensive outfielder, tied for the third-fastest baserunner, and the ninth most valuable baserunner according to Statcast. [37] [38] [39]

2025: All-Star

Crow-Armstrong was the Cubs' opening day center fielder in 2025, as the team began the season in Japan. [40] [41] On May 23, Crow-Armstrong hit a go-ahead grand slam home run in a six-run seventh inning, leading Chicago to a 13–6 road victory over the Cincinnati Reds. It was Crow-Armstrong's first career grand slam. He became the first Cubs player with two six-RBI games in a calendar month since RBIs became official in 1920. [42] On June 3, Crow-Armstrong, who led off the fourth inning of the Cubs’ series opener versus the Washington Nationals with a double, stole third base before coming home to score. With the steal, his 20th of the season, Crow-Armstrong became the fourth-fastest major leaguer in the modern era (since 1900) to record 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season, reaching the milestone in 60 games. [43] On June 19, Crow-Armstrong hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the first inning, becoming the first player to 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in the 2025 season. [44] Crow-Armstrong was one of six players to receive more than 3 million votes to start in the All-Star Game, being named the National League's starting center fielder on July 2. [45] With two home runs on July 10, Crow-Armstrong became the fourth fastest player in major league history with at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in a season, trailing Eric Davis in 1987 (69 games), and Alfonso Soriano in 2002 and Bobby Bonds in 1973 (both 91 games). Crow-Armstrong took 92 games to reach this milestone. [46]

At the All-Star break, Crow-Armstrong was slashing .265/.302/.544 with 25 home runs, 27 stolen bases, 4 triples, 21 doubles, 67 runs, 99 hits, and 71 RBIs. However, Armstrong slumped in August, batting .160 with 1 home run and 2 steals in 28 games. [47] Crow-Armstrong fouled a ball off his kneecap on September 6. [48]

International career

Crow-Armstrong has played for USA Baseball in several international youth tournaments. In 2014, he joined the Under-12 National Team, which went 7–2 during the COPABE U-12 Pan-American Championship earning a silver medal after losing to Nicaragua. In 2016, he was a member of the Under-14 National Team Development Program, and in 2017, he joined the Under-15 National Team. The team shared the gold medal with the Dominican Republic at the COPABE U-15 Pan-American Championships after the gold medal game was canceled. In 2018, Crow-Armstrong joined the Under-18 National Team. He started every game for the U.S. and helped them earn gold at the COPABE U-18 Pan-American Championships. In 2019, he started in the Under-17 National Team Development Program and was called up to the 18U National Team for the 2019 U-18 Baseball World Cup. Crow-Armstrong finished the tournament with a .364 batting average, 12 hits, nine runs scored, four doubles, three triples, and three stolen bases. Crow-Armstrong was named to the U-18 All-World Team as the U.S. won silver. [49] [7] [50] [51] [52]

Awards and honors

MLB

MiLB

International

High school [6]

Personal life

Crow-Armstrong played Little League Baseball in the Sherman Oaks Little League. [53] His parents, Matthew John Armstrong and Ashley Crow, are both actors. [54] [52]

Crow-Armstrong bleaches his hair blond. Before the 2025 season, he had blue stars in his hair. [55] Also before the 2025 season, Crow-Armstrong changed his uniform number from 52 to 4 after losing a bet as Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer made a 12-foot basketball shot. [56]

References

  1. ↑ "Pete Crow-Armstrong Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com .
  2. ↑ Bastian, Jordan. "Cubs' youth, veterans team up in comeback win in Denver". MLB.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  3. ↑ Sondheimer, Eric (May 12, 2019). "Column: Harvard-Westlake's Pete Crow-Armstrong has become a hitting machine". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  4. ↑ Fattal, Tarek (June 6, 2019). "Harvard-Westlake's Pete Crow-Armstrong highlights 2019 Daily News baseball all-area team". Los Angeles Daily News . Archived from the original on September 11, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  5. ↑ "2019 Under Armour All-America Road to Wrigley – Pete Crow-Armstrong". Baseball Factory. July 16, 2019. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Adler, David (May 31, 2020). "10 things to know about Mets' top Draft choice". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  7. 1 2 "3 Up, 3 Down with Pete Crow-Armstrong". USA Baseball . May 5, 2020. Archived from the original on September 11, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  8. ↑ Zielinski III, Dan (January 13, 2020). "Pete Crow-Armstrong is a high-end prep talent". Baseball Prospect Journal. Archived from the original on May 13, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Harvard-Westlake baseball's Pete Crow-Armstrong is top outfielder to watch". Los Angeles Daily News . February 12, 2020. Archived from the original on September 11, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  10. ↑ Gammons, Peter (May 1, 2020). "Gammons: One prestigious high school prepares for an unusual MLB draft". The Athletic. Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  11. ↑ DiComo, Anthony (June 25, 2020). "Top Draft pick Crow-Armstrong signs with Mets". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  12. ↑ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Cancelled". Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  13. ↑ "St. Lucie Mets announce 2021 Opening Day roster". TC Palm . Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Mets Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Needs Shoulder Surgery". MLB Trade Rumors. May 18, 2021. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  15. ↑ Pantorno, Joe (May 18, 2021). "Injuries at every level: Mets first-round pick Pete Crow-Armstrong to undergo shoulder surgery". amNewYork . Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  16. ↑ DiComo, Anthony (July 30, 2021). "Mets acquire Báez, Williams from Cubs". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  17. ↑ Chris Rose Rotation (September 16, 2024). 256 | Pete Crow-Armstrong on His Game-Ending Home Run Robbing Catch vs Dodgers. Event occurs at 23:20. Retrieved September 11, 2025– via YouTube.
  18. ↑ "Here's where Cubs Top 30 prospects are starting '22". MLB.com . Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Cubs promote prized prospect Crow-Armstrong to South Bend". May 30, 2022. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  20. ↑ Mayo, Jonathan (July 7, 2022). "Here are the 2022 Futures Game rosters". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Here are 2022's MiLB Gold Glove winners". MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  22. ↑ Taylor, Brett (February 6, 2023). "Chicago Cubs Announce 32(!) Non-Roster Invites to Spring Training". Bleacher Nation. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Where the Cubs' Top 30 prospects are starting season". MLB.com . Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Cubs Top Prospects". MLB.com . Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  25. ↑ "2023 MLB Futures Game rosters: Orioles' Jackson Holliday, Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer among notable names". June 26, 2023. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  26. ↑ Bastian, Jordan. "Cubs top prospect Crow-Armstrong promoted to Triple-A". MLB.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  27. ↑ Bastian, Jordan. "Cubs call up top prospect Crow-Armstrong". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Cubs calling up top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, sources say". ESPN.com . September 11, 2023. Archived from the original on September 11, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  29. ↑ "MLB Gameday: Cubs 5, Rockies 4 Final Score (09/11/2023)". MLB.com. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  30. ↑ "Crow-Armstrong makes strong impression in first start". MLB.com. September 12, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Pete Crow-Armstrong 2023 Batting Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  32. ↑ Yellon, Al (March 8, 2024). "Pete Crow-Armstrong, Matt Shaw among 12 Cubs roster cuts". Bleed Cubbie Blue. SB Nation . Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  33. ↑ Baer, Jack (April 25, 2024). "Cubs place Cody Bellinger on IL due to rib fracture, call up top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  34. ↑ Bastian, Jordan (April 25, 2024). "Pete Crow-Armstrong slugs two-run homer for first MLB hit". MLB.com. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  35. ↑ Villavicencio, David (August 23, 2024). "How quick? PCA's inside-the-parker is fastest home-to-home time since '17". MLB.com. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Pete Crow-Armstrong Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball Reference . Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  37. ↑ "Fielding Run Value Leaderboard". Baseball Savant. Major League Baseball . Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Statcast Sprint Speed Leaderboard". Baseball Savant. Major League Baseball . Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Statcast Baserunning Run Value Leaderboard". Baseball Savant. Major League Baseball . Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  40. ↑ Lee, Maddie (March 17, 2025). "Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong's play and style transcend language barriers in Tokyo". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Pete Crow-Armstrong 2025 Batting Game Logs". Baseball Reference . Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  42. ↑ Petraglia, Mike (May 24, 2025). "Stop and stare: PCA (6 RBIs) slams tight game into rout". MLB.com. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  43. ↑ Leckie, Paige (June 3, 2025). "PCA makes history, becoming fourth-fastest to reach 15 HRs & 20 SB". MLB.com. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  44. ↑ "'It's an honor': PCA fastest, youngest Cubs player to log 20/20 season". MLB.com .
  45. ↑ Maguire, Brent; Sepe-Chepuru, Shanthi (July 3, 2025). "2025 MLB All-Star Game starters". MLB.com. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
  46. ↑ Bastian, Jordan (July 11, 2025). "Thunder and lightning: PCA becomes fastest Cubs player to reach 25-25 mark". MLB.com .
  47. ↑ "Pete Crow-Armstrong 2025 Batting Splits". Baseball Reference. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  48. ↑ Herrera, Ryan (September 7, 2025). "X-rays negative, PCA day to day after fouling ball off right knee". MLB.com. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  49. ↑ "Pete Crow-Armstrong". USA Baseball . Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  50. ↑ "Forty-One USA Baseball Alumni Selected in the 2020 MLB Draft". USA Baseball . June 12, 2020. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  51. ↑ "Dominican Republic, USA crowned co-champions of U-15 Pan Am 2017/WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2018 Qualifier". World Baseball Softball Confederation . Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  52. 1 2 Dahn, Jeff (June 11, 2019). "PG welcomes Crow-Armstrong". Perfect Game. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  53. ↑ Sondheimer, Eric (March 3, 2019). "Column: They were childhood rivals before becoming friends at Harvard-Westlake". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  54. ↑ Landers, Chris (May 15, 2020). "Top Draft prospect has a 'Little Big League' mom". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  55. ↑ Marquee Sports Network (February 15, 2025). Pete Crow-Armstrong on the Cubs spring training: 'We got really good things cooking' . Retrieved September 11, 2025– via YouTube.
  56. ↑ Bastian, Jordan (February 23, 2025). "The basketball shot that led to a new uniform number for PCA". MLB.com. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
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