Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong made the highlight reel again on Thursday.
Batting in the cleanup spot for the seventh time this season, Crow-Armstrong made an immediate impact. He belted a 1-0 curve from Nationals pitcher Jake Irvin over the 402-foot sign in center, a 104.5 mph shot to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead with just one out.
Although Crow-Armstrong was only 1-5 with a two-run homer in the Cubs 7-1 victory, he added to what has been an impressive start to the season. He has posted a .275/.312/.557 batting line in his 263 plate appearances in his breakout 2025 campaign, belting a team leading 16 homers and 15 doubles while stealing 21 bases.
Crow-Armstrong’s impact has been felt defensively as well. He leads the majors with 172 putouts and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in center. His highlight reel catches and impressive range have made Crow-Armstrong worth 1.2 dWAR, second in the National League.
The 23-year-old Crow-Armstrong has emerged as a vital cog for the Cubs, both in the present and future. While he is under team control through 2030, the Cubs are not wasting time in an attempt to lock in their burgeoning star. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Cubs attempted to extend Crow-Armstrong during spring training, offering a long-term deal worth $60 to $70 million. While that offer was not enough to sign Crow-Armstrong, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reported that the outfielder is willing to continue discussions during the season. However, until an agreement is reached, Crow-Armstrong’s price tag will only increase with every home run and spectacular play in the outfield.
Pete Crow-Armstrong has begun to establish himself as one of the best players in the majors. If the Chicago Cubs want to lock him in to a team-friendly extension, the time for a deal is now.
