Updated

Updated · MLB.com · Jul 9

Pete Crow-Armstrong Hits 2 Homers, Reaches Back-to-Back 20-20 Seasons in 92 Games

Updated

Updated · MLB.com · Jul 9

Pete Crow-Armstrong Hits 2 Homers, Reaches Back-to-Back 20-20 Seasons in 92 Games

Q: With multiple records broken, is Pete Crow-Armstrong already on track to become the greatest player in Chicago Cubs history?

No — Pete Crow-Armstrong is on a remarkable trajectory, but it is far too early to call him the future greatest player in Cubs history. The case for his upside is real. At 24, he has already set the Cubs’ under-25 record for multi-homer games, reached 20 home runs and 20 steals in back-to-back seasons, hit for the cycle, and emerged as one of baseball’s best all-around players. He is producing like an MVP candidate, with elite defense in center field, top-tier speed, and major offensive growth. That combination gives him a stronger early-career profile than most Cubs stars had at the same age. But “greatest in franchise history” is a career argument, not a half-season or even two-season argument. The Cubs’ standard includes Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, Sammy Sosa, Ron Santo, Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins and others who sustained excellence for years, won major awards, built Hall of Fame résumés, and in some cases defined eras of the franchise. Crow-Armstrong has not yet matched that longevity, cumulative value, or postseason legacy. What can fairly be said now is that he looks like a legitimate candidate to become one of the best modern Cubs, and possibly the face of the franchise for years. If he keeps producing at this level into his late 20s, stacks MVP-caliber seasons, and helps lead deep playoff runs, the “greatest ever” conversation becomes serious. Right now, he is building the case — not finishing it.

3 articles · Updated · MLB.com · Jul 9

Two home runs in Chicago’s 9-7 win over Baltimore pushed Pete Crow-Armstrong to 20 homers and 23 steals, making him the third Cub with consecutive 20-20 seasons.
The milestone came in his 92nd game, giving Crow-Armstrong the two fastest 20-20 starts in Cubs history and making him the first major leaguer since Alfonso Soriano in 2002-03 to do it before the All-Star break in back-to-back years.
Dean Kremer’s splitter had held hitters to 2-for-27 entering the night, but Crow-Armstrong homered off it twice — including a 106.7 mph blast — becoming only the fourth player in the Statcast era to hit two splitters out in one game.
Chicago backed him with a five-homer attack and improved to 18 wins in 24 games, while Crow-Armstrong’s last eight games have produced a .464/.583/.929 line with four homers and three steals.