Craig Counsell's latest comments forecast one of Cubs' biggest 2025 questions

One of the most encouraging signs of the final two months of the Chicago Cubs' 2024 season was the development of center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.

During the second half of the 2024 season, Crow-Armstrong slashed .262/.310/.425/104wRC+. It was a reminder of why Crow-Armstrong was considered the Cubs' top prospect entering last season. With Crow-Armstrong's offensive success, adding in the fact he is one Major League Baseball's fastest players, a question that has surfaced with regard to the 2025 starting lineup is if the young outfielder would move into the leadoff spot.

Counsell was asked that question during the Cubs Convention last weekend, and he provided an update on where he believes Crow-Armstrong's development is currently at.

“Best offensive players hit the most,” Counsell said. “That’s kind of always going to be the original thought. I think Pete could get there. Pete is a developing baseball player and we still want to get that right. There’s no lineup decisions made. But, frankly, gut says no Pete at the top to start the year.”

Don't expect Pete Crow-Armstrong to be the Cubs' leadoff hitter just yet.

It would be a reach to suggest that Crow-Armstrong should be the Cubs' leadoff hitter on Opening Day. For one, the success that Crow-Armstrong had during the closing months of the 2024 season was the first time he's had offensive success at the Major League level. It would seem foolish for the Cubs to immediately reward that initial success by inserting him into the leadoff hitter. Especially considering the success Ian Happ had last season as the leadoff hitter.

Crow-Armstrong's offensive development will be an important element of the Cubs' 2025 season. While the Cubs did add Kyle Tucker this offseason, it seems that the team is also hinging their offensive success on their prospects including Crow-Armstrong. If it works, then Crow-Armstrong will likely be the team's leadoff hitter before the end of the season.