Pete Crow-Armstrong
Pete Crow-Armstrong isn't just a baseball player; he's a force of nature on the diamond. Known for his electrifying speed, Gold Glove defense, and surprising power, 'PCA' has swiftly carved a path from top prospect to an MLB All-Star. Join us as we track the journey of this dynamic Chicago Cubs center fielder, whose career already boasts historic achievements. Pete Crow-Armstrong established himself as a premier two-way player, excelling in both defense and offense early in his MLB career. His rapid ascent through the minor leagues was marked by impressive talent, resilience through injury, and consistent top prospect rankings. PCA achieved historic milestones with the Chicago Cubs, including multiple 30-30 seasons and a coveted Gold Glove Award.
AI Summary
Pete Crow-Armstrong isn't just a baseball player; he's a force of nature on the diamond. Known for his electrifying speed, Gold Glove defense, and surprising power, 'PCA' has swiftly carved a path from top prospect to an MLB All-Star. Join us as we track the journey of this dynamic Chicago Cubs center fielder, whose career already boasts historic achievements.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong established himself as a premier two-way player, excelling in both defense and offense early in his MLB career.
- His rapid ascent through the minor leagues was marked by impressive talent, resilience through injury, and consistent top prospect rankings.
- PCA achieved historic milestones with the Chicago Cubs, including multiple 30-30 seasons and a coveted Gold Glove Award.
The Rise of PCA
Born in 2002, Pete Henry Crow-Armstrong — or 'PCA' as he's widely known — quickly became a name to watch in professional baseball. This American center fielder made his Major League Baseball debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2023, but his story began much earlier, long before he stepped onto a big-league field.
His journey to the Cubs was an interesting one. Originally drafted by the New York Mets in 2020, he was later traded to Chicago. This move would prove pivotal, setting the stage for a spectacular rise that saw him earn All-Star honors in both 2025 and 2026, marking him as one of baseball's brightest young stars.
Amateur Stardom
Even in high school, Crow-Armstrong was a standout. At Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, he dominated, earning the prestigious Los Angeles Times Player of the Year award in 2019. That year, he batted an impressive .395 with three home runs and 23 RBIs, all while showing remarkable plate discipline with only seven strikeouts in 34 games.
His senior year, 2020, started even stronger, with PCA hitting an astounding .514 before the season was abruptly cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the MLB draft, he had committed to play college baseball at Vanderbilt University, a top program known for producing elite talent — a testament to his undeniable skill.
A Draft Day Dream, Then a Detour
Widely regarded as one of the top prospects heading into the 2020 MLB draft, Crow-Armstrong was a highly anticipated pick. The New York Mets wasted no time, selecting him 19th overall in the first round. He signed with the team for a substantial $3.4 million bonus, ready to begin his professional career.
However, the pandemic had other plans. With the entire minor league season canceled, PCA didn't get to play a single professional game in 2020. It was a frustrating start, forcing him to wait an entire year for his official debut.
Minor League Debut and a Major Setback
When 2021 finally rolled around, Crow-Armstrong began his journey with the St. Lucie Mets in the Low-A Southeast League. He quickly showed glimpses of his potential, batting an incredible .417 in his first 24 at-bats, adding four RBIs and two stolen bases.
But just as he was heating up, disaster struck. In May, it was announced that PCA would need season-ending surgery on his right shoulder for a glenoid labral articular disruption. It was a tough blow for the young star, halting his momentum just as it was building.
A Surprising Trade to the Windy City
Then came a curveball no one expected. On July 30, 2021, while still recovering from his injury, Crow-Armstrong was traded to the Chicago Cubs as part of a package for veteran players Javier Báez and Trevor Williams. He later confessed to feeling completely blindsided by the news, thinking it was a joke because he was still in a sling.
Dominating the Minors
Healthy and with a new team, PCA began to shine in 2022. He started with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in Low-A before quickly earning a promotion to the High-A South Bend Cubs. His impressive play didn't go unnoticed, as he was selected to represent the Cubs in the prestigious All-Star Futures Game.
His defensive prowess became legendary in the minor leagues, earning him an MiLB Gold Glove award as one of the best defensive outfielders. To cap off a stellar season, Crow-Armstrong and the South Bend Cubs celebrated a Midwest League championship, proving his impact on winning baseball.
Knocking on the Major League Door
By 2023, PCA was the Cubs' number one prospect and the sixth-ranked outfield prospect in all of MLB. He started the season with the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, where he continued to impress, once again earning a spot in the All-Star Futures Game.
His numbers in Double-A were outstanding: a .289 batting average, 14 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases in just 73 games. This elite production earned him a promotion to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, where he continued to perform, hitting .271 with six home runs and 22 RBIs in 34 games.
The Big League Debut
On September 11, 2023, the call finally came. After combining for an impressive .876 OPS in the minors, Pete Crow-Armstrong was heading to the big leagues. He made his MLB debut that day against the Colorado Rockies as a pinch runner, though he was caught stealing third base — a minor hiccup in an otherwise monumental moment.
The very next day, he made his first MLB start in center field. While he went 0-for-4 at the plate, he showcased his defensive brilliance with two highlight-reel plays in the outfield. It was clear even then that his impact would be felt, particularly with his glove.
Rookie Season Highlights
Crow-Armstrong began the 2024 season in Triple-A, but it wasn't long before an injury to Cody Bellinger brought him back to Chicago. In his first game back, he collected his first career MLB hit — a go-ahead two-run home run off Bryan Abreu of the Houston Astros. What a way to get on the board!
Later that season, he wowed fans with an inside-the-park home run that clocked in at 14.08 seconds from home plate, noted as the fastest since 2017 with a peak sprint speed of 30.4 feet per second. His rookie season concluded with a .237 average, 10 home runs, and 27 stolen bases, establishing him as a top-tier defensive outfielder and one of the league's fastest baserunners according to Statcast.
2025: All-Star and 30-30 Club
The 2025 season saw PCA explode onto the scene as the Cubs' Opening Day center fielder. He made history by hitting his first career grand slam and became the first Cubs player since 1920 to record two six-RBI games in a single month. His blend of speed and power was truly historic.
Crow-Armstrong became one of the fastest players in the modern era to reach milestones like 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases, and then 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, leading MLB in that category early on. His electrifying performance earned him a starting spot in the National League All-Star Game, a testament to his burgeoning superstar status.
He continued to rewrite the record books, joining the exclusive 30-30 club on September 26, becoming only the second player in Chicago Cubs history to achieve 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a single season, alongside the legendary Sammy Sosa. His incredible season culminated in his first career Gold Glove Award for National League center fielders.
2026: Two-Time 30-30 Man and Cycle Hitter
Before the 2026 season, the Cubs secured their star, signing Crow-Armstrong to a six-year, $115 million extension. He continued his historic trajectory, becoming the 13th player in Cubs franchise history to hit for the cycle on June 15 against the Colorado Rockies.
Just a month later, he earned his second consecutive All-Star selection, solidifying his place as one of the game's elite. But the biggest highlight came on August 17, when he hit a walk-off home run against the Chicago White Sox, securing his second consecutive 30-30 season — a feat no other Cub had ever achieved.
Representing Team USA
Crow-Armstrong's talent extended beyond professional baseball to the international stage, where he proudly represented USA Baseball in multiple youth tournaments. From the Under-12 team to the Under-18 National Team, he consistently helped his country earn medals, including gold at the COPABE U-18 Pan-American Championships.
In the 2019 U-18 Baseball World Cup, he was named to the All-World Team, showcasing his skills against the best young players globally. Later, he also earned a Silver Medal with the World Baseball Classic team in 2026, further cementing his international presence.
A Trophy Case Full of Accolades
Pete Crow-Armstrong's career, though still young, is already decorated with an impressive array of awards. Beyond his two MLB All-Star selections and Gold Glove, he's also a two-time member of the elite 30-30 club and has been honored as National League Player of the Month twice.
His minor league career was equally celebrated, featuring two All-Star Futures Game selections, multiple MiLB.com Organization All-Star nods, and a Rawlings MiLB Gold Glove Award for his exceptional defense. These accolades highlight his consistent excellence at every level of the game.
Beyond the Field
Off the field, Pete Crow-Armstrong comes from a family with a creative background. His parents, Matthew John Armstrong and Ashley Crow, are both accomplished actors. He himself is known for his distinctive bleached blond hair, often sporting blue stars, adding a touch of flair to his already vibrant personality.
In a quirky personal anecdote, PCA even changed his uniform number from 52 to 4 before the 2025 season after losing a bet to Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer, who sank a 12-foot basketball shot. It's just one more detail that makes Pete Crow-Armstrong a truly unique and captivating figure in baseball.
Article
Pete Crow-Armstrong
Pete Henry Crow-Armstrong (born March 25, 2002), also known by his initials "PCA", is an American professional baseball center fielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023.
Crow-Armstrong was drafted by the New York Mets with the 19th overall pick of the 2020 MLB draft. During the 2021 trade deadline, he was traded to the Cubs for Javier Báez and Trevor Williams. In 2025 and 2026, Crow-Armstrong was named to his first and second All-Star games.
Amateur career
Pete Crow-Armstrong
Crow-Armstrong attended Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, California, where he played baseball. In 2019, his junior year, he was named the Los Angeles Times Player of the Year after hitting .395 with three home runs, 23 runs batted in (RBIs), and 47 hits over 34 games, striking out only seven times. That summer, he played in the 2019 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game. In 2020, his senior year, he was batting .514 before the baseball season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He committed to play college baseball at Vanderbilt University before the 2020 MLB draft.
Professional career
2020: MLB draft
Crow-Armstrong was considered one of the top prospects for the 2020 Major League Baseball draft. The New York Mets selected him in the first round with the 19th overall selection. He signed with the Mets on June 25 for a bonus of $3.4 million. He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the pandemic.
2021: Minor league debut and injury
Crow-Armstrong began the 2021 season with the St. Lucie Mets of the Low-A Southeast League. On May 18, it was announced that Crow-Armstrong would undergo surgery on his right shoulder for a glenoid labral articular disruption, ending his season. He hit .417 with four RBIs and two stolen bases in 24 at bats prior to the injury.
Chicago Cubs
On July 30, 2021, the Mets traded Crow-Armstrong to the Chicago Cubs for Javier Báez and Trevor Williams. On September 16, 2024, Crow-Armstrong revealed his feelings about the trade, saying, "I didn’t feel like I was a part of any trade talks that I had seen on TV or anything like that." He continued, "I had a sling on my shoulder... I thought it was a joke."
2022: MWL champion
Crow-Armstrong sliding into second base for the South Bend Cubs
Crow-Armstrong began the 2022 season with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Low-A Carolina League and was promoted to the South Bend Cubs of the High-A Midwest League in late May. He was selected to represent the Cubs at the All-Star Futures Game. He was named a MiLB Gold Glove as one of the three best defensive outfielders in the minor leagues. Crow-Armstrong and South Bend won the Midwest League championship.
2023: MLB debut
On February 6, 2023, Crow-Armstrong was one of the 32 non-roster players invited to the Cubs' spring training camp. He opened the 2023 season with Tennessee Smokies of the Double-A Southern League, beginning the season as the Cubs' number one prospect and the sixth-ranked outfielder prospect in MLB. He was selected to represent the Cubs at the All-Star Futures Game.
In 73 games in Double-A, Crow-Armstrong batted .289/.371/.527 with 14 home runs, 60 RBI, and 27 steals. On July 31, Crow-Armstrong was promoted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. In 34 games for Iowa, he averaged .271/.350/.479 with six home runs, two triples, seven doubles, 30 runs, 38 hits, and 22 RBIs.
On September 11, 2023, after recording a combined .876 OPS in the minors, the Cubs called up Crow-Armstrong to the major leagues for the first time. That day, he made his MLB debut against the Colorado Rockies, entering the game in the seventh inning as a pinch runner but was caught stealing third base. In the ninth inning, he made his first career plate appearance, hitting a sacrifice bunt. Crow-Armstrong made his first MLB start on September 12 in center field. He went 0-for-4 with an RBI fielder's choice and made two highlight-reel plays in the outfield. In 13 games in September, Crow-Armstrong batted 0-for-14 with 3 walks and two stolen bases, coming in as a pinch runner seven times.
Crow-Armstrong with the Iowa Cubs in 2024
2024: Rookie season
Crow-Armstrong was optioned to Triple-A Iowa Cubs to begin the 2024 season after batting .138/.194/.435 with four hits and three stolen bases in spring training. He was recalled to the majors on April 24, after an injury to Cody Bellinger. In the sixth inning of the following game, Crow-Armstrong collected his first career hit, a go-ahead two-run home run off of Bryan Abreu of the Houston Astros. Crow-Armstrong hit an inside-the-park home run on August 23 off Max Meyer of the Miami Marlins. It was noted as being the fastest time to home plate from a base hit since 2017 at 14.08 seconds, with a peak sprint speed of 30.4 ft/s (20.7 mph).
In 123 games for the Cubs, he averaged .237/.286/.384 with 10 home runs, 27 stolen bases, six triples, 13 doubles, 46 runs, and 47 RBIs. He was the second-best defensive outfielder, tied for the third-fastest baserunner, and the ninth most valuable baserunner according to Statcast.
2025: First All-Star selection and 30–30 season
Crow-Armstrong was the Cubs' Opening Day center fielder in 2025, as the team began the season in Japan. On May 23, Crow-Armstrong hit a go-ahead grand slam home run in a six-run seventh inning, leading Chicago to a 13–6 road victory over the Cincinnati Reds. It was Crow-Armstrong's first career grand slam. He became the first Cubs player with two six-RBI games in a calendar month since RBIs became official in 1920. On June 3, Crow-Armstrong, who led off the fourth inning of the Cubs’ series opener versus the Washington Nationals with a double, stole third base before coming home to score. With the steal, his 20th of the season, Crow-Armstrong became the fourth-fastest major leaguer in the modern era (since 1900) to record 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season, reaching the milestone in 60 games. On June 19, Crow-Armstrong hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the first inning, becoming the first player to 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in the 2025 season. Crow-Armstrong was one of six players to receive more than 3 million votes to start in the All-Star Game, being named the National League's starting center fielder on July 2. With two home runs on July 10, Crow-Armstrong became the fourth fastest player in major league history with at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in a season, trailing Eric Davis in 1987 (69 games), and Alfonso Soriano in 2002 and Bobby Bonds in 1973 (both 91 games). Crow-Armstrong took 92 games to reach this milestone.
At the All-Star break, Crow-Armstrong was hitting .265/.302/.544 with 25 home runs, 27 stolen bases, 4 triples, 21 doubles, 67 runs, 99 hits, and 71 RBIs. However, Armstrong slumped in August, batting .160 with one home run and two steals in 28 games. On September 26, Crow-Armstrong joined the 30–30 club with a two-run home run off Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas in the fourth inning. He became the second player in Cubs history to record a 30–30 season, joining Sammy Sosa. He finished the season batting .247/.287/.481 with 37 doubles, 31 home runs, 95 RBIs, 35 stolen bases, and an MLB-leading 12 sacrifice flies.
The Cubs made the playoffs as the No. 4 seed, gaining home-field advantage during the 2025 National League Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres. In the 2025 postseason, Crow-Armstrong had a batting average of .185 with 3 RBI and a stolen base. On November 2, 2025, Crow-Armstrong was awarded his first career Gold Glove Award for National League center fielders.
2026: MVP candidate, second All-Star selection, and second 30–30 season
Before the 2026 season, Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs agreed to a six-year, $115 million extension through the 2032 season. On June 15, 2026, Crow-Armstrong hit for the cycle against the Colorado Rockies, being the 13th player in Cubs franchise history to do so. On July 5, Crow-Armstrong was named an All-Star for the second straight season. In the All-Star Game, he went 1-for-1 with a single in the 8th inning.
On August 17, Crow-Armstrong hit a walk-off home run in the 10th inning against the Chicago White Sox (his second of the game and fourth hit of the game) to achieve his second consecutive 30–30 season, the first player in Cubs history to achieve this feat. Against the Cincinnati Reds on August 29, he had his first career three-homer game.
International career
Pete Crow-Armstrong
Crow-Armstrong has played for USA Baseball in several international youth tournaments. In 2014, he joined the Under-12 National Team, which went 7–2 during the COPABE U-12 Pan-American Championship earning a silver medal after losing to Nicaragua. In 2016, he was a member of the Under-14 National Team Development Program, and in 2017, he joined the Under-15 National Team. The team shared the gold medal with the Dominican Republic at the COPABE U-15 Pan-American Championships after the gold medal game was canceled. In 2018, Crow-Armstrong joined the Under-18 National Team. He started every game for the U.S. and helped them earn gold at the COPABE U-18 Pan-American Championships. In 2019, he started in the Under-17 National Team Development Program and was called up to the 18U National Team for the 2019 U-18 Baseball World Cup. Crow-Armstrong finished the tournament with a .364 batting average, 12 hits, nine runs scored, four doubles, three triples, and three stolen bases. Crow-Armstrong was named to the U-18 All-World Team as the U.S. won silver.
Awards and honors
Pete Crow-Armstrong
• 2× All-Star ((/wiki/2025MajorLeagueBaseballAll-StarGame), (/wiki/2026MajorLeagueBaseballAll-StarGame)) • Gold Glove Award (2025) • 2× 30–30 club (2025, 2026) • 2× National League Player of the Month (June 2026; August 2026) • 2× National League Player of the Week (June 7, 2026; June 21, 2026) • Hit for the reverse natural cycle on June 15, 2026
• Midwest League champion (2022) • MiLB Awards All-MiLB Prospect Second Team (2023) • 2× All-Star Futures Game selection (2022, 2023) • Baseball America Double-A All-Star (2022) • Southern League Postseason All-Star (2023) • Midwest League Postseason All-Star (2022) • 2× MiLB.com Organization All-Star (2022, 2023) • MiLB Awards Defensive Player of the Year (2023) • Rawlings MiLB Gold Glove Award (2022) • Midwest League Player of the Month (August 2022) • International League Player of the Week (May 26, 2024) • Carolina League Player of the Week (May 1, 2022)
• World Baseball Classic Silver Medalist ((/wiki/2026WorldBaseballClassic)) • U-18 Baseball World Cup Silver Medalist ((/wiki/2019U-18BaseballWorldCup)) • COPABE U-18 Pan-American Championships Gold Medalist (2018) • COPABE U-15 Pan-American Championships Gold Medalist (2017) • COPABE U-12 Pan-American Championships Silver Medalist (2014) • U-18 Baseball World Cup All-World Team ((/wiki/2019U-18BaseballWorldCup#U-18All-WorldTeam))
• Mission League champion (2018) • Under Armour All-America Baseball Game selection (2019) • Perfect Game All-American Classic selection (2019) • Los Angeles Daily News Baseball Player of the Year (2019) • MaxPreps High School Baseball All-American Second Team (2019) • MaxPreps Underclass All-American Baseball Junior Team (2019) • MaxPreps California All-State Large Schools First Team (2019) • PBR California All-State First Team (2019) • All-CIF Southern Section Division I Baseball Team (2019) • Los Angeles Times All-Star High School Baseball Team (2019)
Personal life
Pete Crow-Armstrong
Crow-Armstrong played Little League Baseball in the Sherman Oaks Little League. His parents, Matthew John Armstrong and Ashley Crow, are both actors.
Crow-Armstrong bleaches his hair blond. Before the 2025 season, he had blue stars in his hair. Before the 2025 season, Crow-Armstrong changed his uniform number from 52 to 4 after losing a bet to Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, after Hoyer made a 12-foot basketball shot.