Cubs President Compares Pete Crow-Armstrong to Franchise Icon as He Drops Major Update on Contract Extension

This season, the spotlight has rightfully shone on the usual headliners – Juan Soto, Shohei Ohtani, and Aaron Judge. But behind the glitz and glamour, a new name from the Cubs is steadily rising, turning heads and stealing hearts. Pete Crow-Armstrong! The rookie outfielder is casting his kind of magic in the Cubs uniform, making the case that he, too, belongs in the conversation of baseball’s next big thing.

Well, if you have followed him closely this year, Crow-Armstrong is proving that he’s not just a flash in the pan, but a future cornerstone of the franchise. His dynamic presence on both sides of the ball has injected a fresh sense of hope into the Cubs. And, it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

The Cubs president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, clearly awestruck by the rookie’s potential, has heaped praised on him, to an extent of drawing bold comparisons to Cubs legends of the past and hinting at a long-term vision that involves locking in Crow-Armstrong with a well-earned, lucrative deal.

“We think the world of him,” Hoyer said on the Mully & Haugh Show. “He’s beating you in so many different ways. When Javy (Baez) was at his prime in 2018 or so, there were a lot of ways he could help you win a game on a given night.“

So, has Crow-Armstrong gotten in a position to be compared to the Cubs’ icon Baez?

Well, through his first 45 games in 2025, the 23-year-old is hitting .278 with a .346 OBP. Now that’s outpacing Baez’s .314 OBP in his first full season in 2016! Moreover, while Baez flashed more power with 14 HRs that year, Crow-Armstrong’s improved walk rate (9.2% vs. Báez’s 3.3%) and lower strikeout rate reflect a more refined approach.

Yes, it’s too early to compare a rookie with a legend. But the Cubs have surely got their next star in the making!

Crow-Armstrong is the controlled spark, bringing balance, discipline, and just enough flash to hint at superstardom. So, expectedly the Cubs would be eager to get him on board for the long term. Hoyer is on the way for the same.

Despite Pete Crow-Armstrong’s relatively short time in the majors, the Cubs are already thinking long-term. The front office reportedly approached him and his representatives to secure a long-term extension earlier. However, those talks didn’t progress far.

But given Crow-Armstrong’s trajectory and rising value, locking him in early would be a strategic move and the Cubs would be keen on it. But how is the Cubs offense operating, in general, this season?

The Cubs’ offense is hitting the sweet spot this year

Well, if a team is ranked first in terms of runs scored (293) this season, it must be an offense worthy of all discussions!

The Cubs’ offense deserves the sole credit for making the team lead the NL Central by a 30-20 record. It has been nothing short of explosive, positioning them as one of MLB’s most formidable lineups. Currently, they lead the league with an average of 5.86 runs per game. That’s a pace, if sustained, could result in their highest run-scoring season since 1930!

Yes, you heard that right.

For starters, the key contributors to this offensive surge include Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Seiya Suzuki. While Tucker and Crow-Armstrong have each hit 12 home runs, Suzuki has added 12 of his own. Tucker leads the team with a .387 on-base percentage, and Crow-Armstrong tops the team with 55 hits. Ahh, a dream batting lineup for many teams in the league!

The current progress of the Cubs offers a dream of making the postseason this year. Their potent offense will continue to be a key factor in their pursuit. If they can maintain this level of production, the Cubs could be on track for a historic season.

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