In a move no one saw coming, Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has handed rising star Pete Crow-Armstrong a role that could redefine the team’s entire season — and fans are still trying to process it.
After months of shuffling the lineup and cautiously managing his rookie outfielder, Counsell delivered a bold surprise this week: Pete Crow-Armstrong is taking over as a permanent fixture at the top of the Cubs’ lineup. And if his recent breakout is any indication, the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
“It’s what special players are capable of — impacting all areas of the game,” Counsell said following a dominant series sweep of the Dodgers. “Swinging the bat. Power. Baserunning. Defense. It was a wonderful game, and he made his presence felt in a big way, for sure.”
The 22-year-old phenom has exploded offensively, going 6-for-9 with 2 home runs, 7 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases across two games. He’s not just hot — he’s blazing, and MLB analysts are already calling it the breakout the Cubs needed to regain momentum in a tight National League race.
Crow-Armstrong, long considered the Cubs’ top prospect, has finally silenced the critics — and perhaps even his own manager. For weeks, Counsell had hesitated to slot PCA into the leadoff spot permanently, citing his inexperience and the team’s already effective offensive rhythm.
But the rookie’s numbers became impossible to ignore. With a .294 batting average, .888 OPS, and five homers, 17 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases, he’s become the total package. And now, Counsell is fully on board.
“He’s playing at as high a level that I’ve seen a center fielder play,” the Cubs skipper added, emphasizing the youngster’s elite defense and versatility.
The Cubs, who had struggled to find a consistent top-of-the-order presence, may have just struck gold. With Crow-Armstrong anchoring center field and driving the offense, Chicago has renewed hope in its playoff pursuit.
With his manager’s trust, a red-hot bat, and highlight-reel defense, Pete Crow-Armstrong is poised to become not just a Cubs fan favorite, but a national name. The question now: Can this surprise shift be the spark that fuels a postseason run?
Only time will tell — but one thing is certain: Pete Crow-Armstrong isn’t just the future of the Cubs. He’s their present.