Pete Crow-Armstrong is primed for a breakout season in 2025.
For the Chicago Cubs to compete for their first full-season division title since 2017, it won’t only be about high-profile acquisitions like Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly. They will also need considerable progress from returning players, such as rookie infielder Matt Shaw, catcher Miguel Amaya, and, perhaps most crucially, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Pete Crow-Armstrong enters the 2025 season with an essential role, having firmly claimed the starting center field spot. After a slow start to his rookie year, batting just .186/.246/.302 before the All-Star break, he bounced back in the second half with a much stronger .262/.310/.425 line. While his speed and exceptional defense already make him a key contributor, his offensive progress will be vital in shaping his long-term impact.
This spring, Crow-Armstrong has been red-hot, posting an impressive .519/.500/1.000 slash line in Cactus League play. However, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer remains cautious about putting too much stock in spring training stats. “Spring is meaningless,” Hoyer told The Athletic. “I assume whoever looks good will have a .520 OPS in April.”
