The Chicago Cubs’ 23-year-old phenom was officially named the best defensive center fielder in the National League, capping a historic breakout 2025 season.
CHICAGO — The hype has been real, and now the hardware is here. Congratulations are in order for Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has officially won his first career Rawlings Gold Glove Award.
The 23-year-old superstar, who was lauded for his defensive prowess since the day he was drafted, has been recognized as the premier defensive center fielder in the National League for the 2025 season.
The announcement came Sunday, solidifying what Cubs fans and offensive coordinators across the league already knew: the outfield at Wrigley Field is where fly balls go to die.
A Season of Defensive Dominance
Crow-Armstrong didn’t just win the award; he put on one of the most statistically dominant defensive displays in recent memory. His 2025 campaign set the standard for outfield play across all of Major League Baseball.
According to Statcast, Crow-Armstrong led all MLB players (regardless of position) with a staggering +24 Outs Above Average (OAA), tying with Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. He also led all National League center fielders with +15 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS).
His elite speed and instincts allowed him to “routinely reach balls in the gap that other outfielders wouldn’t come close to.” Crow-Armstrong made an incredible 19 “five-star catches”—plays with a catch probability between 0-25%—which was 10 more than the next-closest outfielder.
At just 23, Crow-Armstrong becomes the second-youngest player in Cubs history to win a Gold Glove (second baseman Ken Hubbs, 1962). He is also a finalist for the prestigious Rawlings Platinum Glove Award, given to the single best defender in each league.
Capping a Breakout Year
The Gold Glove is the “cherry on top” of a historic 2025 season for Crow-Armstrong. In his first full year as a starter, he:
- Was named a National League All-Star.
- Became only the second player in Cubs history to join the 30-30 club, finishing the year with 31 home runs and 35 stolen bases.
While he had a well-documented offensive slump in the second half, his elite, game-changing defense never wavered.
Crow-Armstrong was one of three Chicago Cubs to win a Gold Glove in 2025, joining second baseman Nico Hoerner (his second) and left fielder Ian Happ (his fourth consecutive). Together, they formed an elite defensive spine that helped lead the Cubs to a 92-win season and their first playoff appearance since 2020.
