ATLANTA — At just 23 years old, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is rewriting franchise history in 2025. Entering the season with a modest career batting line of .228/.282/.370 and 10 home runs in 136 games, PCA has transformed into a power-speed phenom unlike any the Cubs have seen since their inception in 1876. With 45 Hall of Fame players and countless stars in their storied past, no one has matched Crow-Armstrong’s rare blend of power and speed.
As the second half of the 2025 season kicks off post-All-Star break, Crow-Armstrong boasts 25 home runs and 27 stolen bases, putting him on pace for a jaw-dropping 42 homers and 46 steals. No Cub has ever achieved a 40-40 season. The closest comparisons are Sammy Sosa’s 30-30 seasons in 1993 and 1995, and Ryne Sandberg’s 25-25 campaigns in 1985 and 1990. PCA has already joined this elite company and could surpass them.
“I know my stats, but I don’t fixate on hitting 40 homers or stealing 30 bags,” Crow-Armstrong told CBS Sports during All-Star festivities. His focus remains on team success, but his numbers speak volumes.
Crow-Armstrong’s speed is no surprise—he’s among baseball’s fastest, earning praise from Twins star Byron Buxton, who named PCA and Elly De La Cruz as players he studies to improve. Cubs teammate Kyle Tucker, acquired in an offseason trade, has also been impressed, jokingly challenging PCA to out-steal him. “He’s got more than me now, and I expect him to finish with more,” Tucker said.
The real shock is PCA’s power surge. After hitting just 10 home runs in 123 games last season with a .384 slugging percentage, he now ranks fourth in the National League with 25 homers and seventh with a .544 slugging percentage. His 41 minor-league homers across 240 games hinted at potential, but his current output has exceeded expectations.
Adjustments in the batter’s box have fueled this breakout. PCA has adopted a more open stance with a slight squat, moving a foot farther back in the box to better track pitches. “I’m trying to see the baseball as long as possible,” he told MLB.com during spring training. These tweaks, combined with growing comfort against big-league pitching, have unleashed his power.
Crow-Armstrong’s impact has made him a National League MVP candidate (+600 odds, per Caesars) and the NL leader in WAR, outpacing stars like Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani. Yet, he remains focused on team goals. “If I’m playing well, it helps the Cubbies win,” he said. The Cubs, leading the NL Central at the All-Star break, are in their best position since 2016, their World Series-winning year.
While a 40-40 season would be historic, PCA’s sights are set higher. “The goal is to win the World Series,” he said. “Any accolade like 40-40 comes second.”
For detailed stats on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 2025 season, see the sports card above.
