The Chicago Cubs capped off an entertaining two-game stretch with a 7-6 win over the Dodgers on Wednesday night, following up Tuesday’s 11-10 extra-inning thriller. The victories handed the Cubs the 2025 season series over Los Angeles, despite losing the first three meetings earlier this year.
At the heart of both wins was Pete Crow-Armstrong, who is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting all-around players in baseball.
Crow-Armstrong, often referred to as “PCA” by Cubs fans—who chanted his initials loudly after Wednesday’s win—has delivered a stretch of dominant performances that have showcased his elite defense, disruptive baserunning, and increasingly dangerous bat.
On Wednesday, the 23-year-old went 3-for-4 with a home run, four RBIs, and two stolen bases. The night before, he was 3-for-5 with a double and a homer. And back on April 13 against these same Dodgers, PCA went 3-for-4 with a triple and two home runs in a 4-2 win.
The Cubs, now 16-10 and leading the NL Central, have played the toughest schedule in baseball so far (opponent winning percentage: .624). That makes their start even more impressive, and PCA’s emergence could be a major reason they stay in contention deep into the season.
Originally drafted 19th overall by the Mets in 2020, Crow-Armstrong was acquired by the Cubs at the 2021 trade deadline in exchange for a few months of Javier Báez. At the time, some questioned whether PCA would ever hit enough to become a star. There were no doubts about his glove or his legs—he was always touted as a potential Gold Glove center fielder with elite speed—but the bat lagged behind.
In his brief MLB debut in 2023, he went 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts. And through July 26 of last season, he was slashing just .180/.230/.292 with 51 strikeouts in 178 at-bats. While he showed flashes of potential, he often looked overwhelmed at the plate.
Even the start of this season didn’t inspire immediate confidence. PCA hit just .091 through his first six games. But since then, he’s turned a corner in a major way.
Over his last 20 games, Crow-Armstrong is hitting .350 with five home runs, 16 RBIs, 18 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. His OPS during that stretch is over 1.000, and he’s doing it against top competition.
Stretching back to July 27 of last year, PCA has played 83 games. In that time, he’s slashing .291/.328/.497 with 17 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 56 runs scored. That’s not just a flash in the pan—it’s production that places him among the league’s elite. In fact, over that stretch, only Aaron Judge, Elly De La Cruz, Bobby Witt Jr., Shohei Ohtani, and Francisco Lindor have posted higher WAR figures.
Much of PCA’s value still comes from his defense and baserunning—and both areas are as strong as advertised.
He’s 10-for-11 on stolen base attempts this season and 39-for-45 in his MLB career. But beyond the raw numbers, it’s the way he affects games with his speed that stands out. He turns singles into doubles, constantly pressures pitchers and catchers, and changes the dynamic every time he’s on base.
According to FanGraphs, Crow-Armstrong currently leads MLB in baserunning WAR, ahead of speedsters like Byron Buxton, Victor Scott II, and Corbin Carroll. Baseball Savant backs it up—he ranks in the 99th percentile for baserunning value.
Defensively, he might be even better. Crow-Armstrong leads National League outfielders with 67 putouts and hasn’t committed an error. Watching him patrol center field is a highlight in itself—he has the range, instincts, and closing speed to cover gaps few others can reach. The metrics support the eye test: he ranks in the 100th percentile in fielding value and is currently FanGraphs’ top-rated outfielder by WAR, trailing only Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo among all defenders.
While there are still questions about his consistency at the plate—his offensive surge is based on a relatively small sample size—there’s no denying that Crow-Armstrong is becoming a game-changer. Even if the bat cools off at times, his speed and defense give him a high floor. And if he continues to hit like this, his ceiling might be one of the best players in baseball.
It’s been a team effort for the Cubs this season, with stars like Kyle Tucker leading the way. But Crow-Armstrong’s emergence gives Chicago something special—a homegrown spark plug who impacts every aspect of the game.
The Cubs are off to a strong start and look like legitimate contenders in the NL Central. And with PCA blossoming into a star before our eyes, the excitement at Wrigley Field is only just beginning.
Photo: Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images
