Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 2025 season was a rollercoaster, and it’s the kind of story that makes you wonder: can a player’s brilliance in one half of the season truly vanish in the other? The All-Star center fielder dazzled with a 109 wRC+, 31 home runs, and 35 stolen bases, but a closer look reveals a stark contrast between his dominant first four months and a slump-filled final two. For much of the year, Crow-Armstrong looked like an MVP contender, boasting a 137 wRC+ by August, with 27 homers and 29 steals—a 40-40 season seemed within reach. But here’s where it gets controversial: his performance plummeted in the last two months, with a 45 wRC+, just four more homers, and a paltry .188 batting average. What caused this dramatic shift, and how is he addressing it?
The answer lies in two key areas: consistency and swing decisions. Crow-Armstrong, alongside assistant hitting coach John Mallee, identified that his late-season struggles stemmed from mechanical inconsistencies in his setup. And this is the part most people miss: it wasn’t just about his swing—it was about how he approached the batter’s box. Mallee explained that Crow-Armstrong’s stride became too long, causing him to mishit balls. The solution? Returning to a shorter, more controlled approach, focusing on rotation rather than overstriding.
But mechanics are only half the battle. Crow-Armstrong’s chase rate—a staggering 41.9%, the third-highest in baseball—has become a focal point. While he’s capable of making contact with difficult pitches, it’s a high-risk, low-reward strategy. Is this the secret to unlocking his full potential, or is it a flaw he should abandon entirely? The Cubs organization, including team president Jed Hoyer and manager Craig Counsell, believes improving his swing decisions is the next step. Crow-Armstrong himself acknowledges the issue: “I know I chase… It’s very sporadic.”
To address this, he’s leaning on drills like the Trajekt machine, which forces him to focus on specific zones in the strike area. He’s also absorbing wisdom from veterans like Alex Bregman, who helped Ceddanne Rafaela reduce his chase rate last season. But here’s the catch: what works for one player might not work for another. Should Crow-Armstrong emulate Bregman’s approach, or is there a unique path tailored to his strengths?
The goal isn’t just to fix one flaw but to become a more complete player. Crow-Armstrong wants to be on base more, reduce strikeouts, and maintain the elite defense that kept him in the lineup during his slump. It’s a delicate balance—tinkering too much could strip away what makes him special. As Counsell puts it, “How it clicks for you… it’s different for everybody.”
So, what’s next for Crow-Armstrong? Will he find the consistency to match his early-season brilliance, or will he continue to be a player of extremes? What do you think—is his focus on swing decisions the right move, or should he double down on his aggressive style? Let us know in the comments!
