Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has been the talk of the town this season, no doubt about it. The 23-year-old phenom burst onto the scene with a breakout 2025 campaign that propelled the Cubs back into the playoffs. His speed and power combo—think 30 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and even 30 doubles—made him the first Cub to hit those marks in a single year. Fans chanted "P-C-A" through Wrigley Field all summer, and why not? He earned his first All-Star nod and looked every bit the future star.
However, the second half told a different story. Crow-Armstrong's bat went cold, dipping to a frustrating stretch where he managed just four hits in his last 22 at-bats. Manager Craig Counsell admitted it's a daily puzzle, saying he struggles to pinpoint fixes for the young outfielder's swing. Indeed, the slump hit hard as the Cubs fought for survival. In a recent 3-0 loss to the San Diego Padres, the team edged closer to elimination, with Crow-Armstrong's contributions feeling all too sparse on offense.
Still, moments of magic persist. Just days ago, in an elimination-threatened game, he stepped up with the bases loaded in the second inning, Beastie Boys blaring over the speakers—a nod to his flair. The crowd erupted, but the hit that followed? Not quite the game-changer needed. Counsell's lineup tweaks have kept PCA in the fold, banking on his elite defense in center to carry the day. Yet, as the playoffs intensify, questions linger about whether this dynamo can rediscover his early-season fire.
Moreover, the Cubs' postseason hopes now hinge on these high-stakes games, where Crow-Armstrong's potential could swing everything. His journey from Mets draft pick to Cubs cornerstone has been whirlwind-fast, traded in that 2021 deal for Javier Báez. But slumps like this test even the brightest talents. One can't help but wonder if this pressure cooker will forge a legend or expose cracks too soon.