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Pete Crow-Armstrong has been more spectacular than Cubs fans think

After a slow start, one Cubs player has quietly become one of MLB’s biggest breakout stars heading into May
ByOliver Vandervoort|
Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) runs after he hits a two run home run during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) runs after he hits a two run home run during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. | Matt Marton-Imagn Images

After a slow, some might even say concerning, start to the season, Pete Crow-Armstrong has spent much of the latter part of April wowing Chicago Cubs fans.

After yet another night where he was an absolute pest against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the speedy centerfielder is batting nearly .300 while bashing five home runs and stealing 10 bases. It’s clear that he’s one of the best players on the Cubs. He’s, in fact, one of the best players in Major League Baseball this season. But what might surprise some Chicago fans is that he’s been one of the best players in the Bigs for longer than anyone realized.

As Cubs beat writer Jordan Bastion pointed out on Thursday morning, there’s a date in 2024 that we can pinpoint when PCA started realizing that he could do this Major League Baseball thing. That date is July 27. 

That’s when he started turning things around after a rather dreadful start. He showed an eye at the plate he hadn’t before. He showed pop. And he finished with 10 homers and 27 steals after looking like a defense-only player at first.

Even after a slow first couple of weeks, Pete Crow-Armstrong has now turned things around again and has his name getting mentioned more and more as one of the players that opposing pitchers should fear the most. He’s being named among Ohtani, Judge, and Trout. He’s already a star on the verge of being a superstar.

Pete Crow-Armstrong's superstar breakout may be arriving

That’s not hyperbole. His spot on Fangraph’s WAR leaderboards since that fateful day at the end of July demonstrates that he’s been one of the very best.

From July 27 until today, PCA has posted a 4.0 fWAR. That has him sixth among all of Major League Baseball. And the Cubs outfielder is very, very close to getting into the Top 5:

  • 7.1: Aaron Judge
  • 5.0: Corbin Carroll
  • 4.9: Bobby Witt Jr.
  • 4.2: Shohei Ohtani
  • 4.1: Franciscor Lindor
  • 4.0: Crow-Armstrong

It’s been a sight to see. And it’s still only April. There’s still plenty of season left for Pete Crow-Armstrong to impress onlookers and help lead the Chicago Cubs to a pennant.

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