If the Chicago Cubs hope to compete for their first full-season division title since 2017, it won’t just be because of high-profile acquisitions like Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly. Success will also depend on significant improvements from returning players, including rookie infielder Matt Shaw, catcher Miguel Amaya, and, perhaps most critically, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Crow-Armstrong enters the 2025 season as the team’s starting center fielder, having firmly secured the role. After struggling early in his rookie year—hitting just .186/.246/.302 before the All-Star break—he rebounded in the second half with a stronger .262/.310/.425 slash line. While his speed and elite defense already make him an asset, his offensive progress will be key to his long-term value.
This spring, Crow-Armstrong has been on a tear, slashing .519/.500/1.000 in Cactus League action. Despite this hot streak, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer remains skeptical of spring training stats. “Spring is meaningless,” Hoyer told The Athletic. “I assume whoever looks good will have a .520 OPS in April.”