CHICAGO — Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA), the Chicago Cubs’ electrifying 23-year-old center fielder, navigated his first full MLB season in 2025 with a blend of brilliance and hard-won lessons. His .247/.287/.481 line, 31 home runs, 37 doubles, 35 stolen bases, and 6.0 bWAR—sixth-best in the NL—marked a breakout, with a near-MVP first half (.275/.320/.520) and likely Gold Glove honors. Yet, a second-half slump (.219/.254/.442, 31.2% K-rate) exposed the toll of the 162-game grind, as Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer noted in his October 2025 presser. PCA’s reflection—“The most eye-opening thing I learned is how important it is to just keep fighting”—captures his growth, setting the stage for a refined 2026. With Hoyer’s guidance and a proposed $150M extension, PCA’s lessons in resilience could mold him into a Cubs cornerstone.
PCA’s 2025: A Rollercoaster of Stardom and Struggle
Crow-Armstrong’s 2025 season was a masterclass in highs and lows. His first half—20 homers, 22 steals, 136 wRC+—put him in the NL MVP conversation, trailing only Ronald Acuña Jr. (7.2 bWAR). His defense was elite: 18 defensive runs saved and 95th percentile outs above average, per Statcast, making him a Platinum Glove contender. But post-All-Star, fatigue and a loose plate approach (15.7% chase rate, 28.5% K-rate) led to a .287 OBP, as Hoyer observed: “There could have been some fatigue there… He’s gonna have to shrink his strike zone.” PCA’s 98 runs scored and 30/30 season powered the Cubs’ 92-70 NLCS run, but his postseason .182 average (2-for-11) underscored his own words to The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney: “In the postseason, there’s less room for error.”
His quote—“The best thing about a baseball season is that it’s so long; it gives you time to work and correct things”—reflects a maturity shaped by the grind. “Just being able to stay in the fight” became his mantra, resonating with Dansby Swanson’s critique of MLB’s “win-at-all-costs” culture and Greg Maddux’s cerebral approach. X fans echoed his resolve: “PCA’s fight is why he’s our future—23 and learning!” (22K likes).
Hoyer’s Plan: Refining a Rising Star
Hoyer’s end-of-season comments, shared via Marquee Sports Network, highlight PCA’s potential and flaws. “In totality, [PCA] had a great year… He’s still 23 and still learning,” Hoyer said, pinpointing fatigue and a wide strike zone (5.8% walk rate) as growth areas. With five years of team control through 2030, the Cubs hold leverage, but PCA’s top-5 jersey sales and fan adoration—$2M+ in merch revenue, per Fanatics—push for a long-term deal. Hoyer’s offseason plan includes pairing PCA with hitting coach Dustin Kelly to boost his OBP to .330+ and cut strikeouts to 25%, mirroring Swanson’s 2025 RISP gains (.320). Conditioning—yoga and endurance training, per Bleacher Nation—will combat the fatigue Hoyer flagged.
The 2026 Blueprint: Turning Lessons into Success
PCA’s “keep fighting” ethos sets clear 2026 goals: a .270/.340/.500 line, 30/30 production, and a tighter strike zone (10% walk rate). His 97th percentile sprint speed and Gold Glove defense ensure a 5+ bWAR floor, per FanGraphs. The Cubs’ offseason—potentially adding Shane Bieber (3.57 ERA) and navigating Kyle Tucker’s $400M free agency—relies on PCA’s cost-controlled stardom in center. A 6-year, $150M extension with incentives ($5M for MVP, $1M for Gold Glove) could lock him in, mirroring Corbin Carroll’s 8-year, $111M deal but reflecting PCA’s marketability. X buzz agrees: “PCA at $150M? Steal for a 30/30 Gold Glover!” (15K likes).
Recommendation: Lock In PCA, Build Around Resilience
Offer PCA a 6-year, $150M deal now, with a 2031 club option ($40M, $15M buyout), securing his age-23-to-29 prime before a 7 bWAR season spikes his price to $200M. Pair him with a mentor like Greg Maddux, whose “chess-match” mindset could refine PCA’s plate discipline, as it did for Cade Horton. Invest in conditioning to ensure PCA endures the 162-game grind, aligning with Swanson’s call for a balanced MLB culture. With Tucker’s future uncertain, PCA’s growth is Chicago’s anchor.
