Pete Crow-Armstrong: The Cubs’ Power and Speed Phenomenon That Shattered Records in 2025
In Major League Baseball, the quest for a player who combines both power and speed is a never-ending search. Few teams have been able to find such a rare commodity, but the Chicago Cubs have unearthed a true gem in outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. His journey from highly touted prospect to MLB sensation has been a story of development, anticipation, and explosive success.
The Cubs’ investment in Crow-Armstrong was born out of a trade that sent fan-favorite Javier Báez to the Detroit Tigers. When the Cubs received Crow-Armstrong in return, it was clear that this was a move with the future in mind. For a long time, fans were left waiting for the young outfielder to step into the spotlight and show his full potential. But in 2025, Pete Crow-Armstrong made sure the wait was well worth it, as he not only met but exceeded expectations, catapulting the Cubs back into the postseason and establishing himself as one of the game’s most exciting players.
A Breakout Year in 2025
Crow-Armstrong’s second full Major League season was nothing short of remarkable. In a year filled with ups and downs for the Cubs, his consistent performance provided the team with much-needed stability. He finished the season with a .247 batting average, an on-base percentage of .287, and an impressive .481 slugging percentage. These numbers were complemented by a career-high 31 home runs and 95 RBIs. These stats weren’t just impressive—they helped the Cubs secure their first postseason berth since 2020, marking a pivotal moment in the team’s rebuild.
On top of his offensive production, Crow-Armstrong was also recognized for his stellar defense. He made his first-ever National League All-Star team, a major milestone for any young player, and he added another Gold Glove to his collection, this time for his work in center field. His defensive prowess was already well-established, having won a Gold Glove in the minor leagues, but his 2025 season cemented his place as one of the top center fielders in baseball.
In a year full of individual accolades, Crow-Armstrong’s performance didn’t stop there. He also finished ninth in the National League MVP voting, a testament to his all-around game and his impact on the Cubs’ success. It’s clear that Crow-Armstrong is no longer just a promising prospect—he’s a bona fide star in Major League Baseball.
The 30-30 Milestone: Crow-Armstrong Makes History
One of the most coveted achievements in baseball is the 30-30 club—a rare feat that requires a player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a single season. It’s a benchmark that combines two of baseball’s most exciting elements: power and speed. Achieving this milestone is difficult, but Crow-Armstrong not only reached it, but did so in style.
In 2025, Crow-Armstrong’s 31 home runs and 35 stolen bases placed him in elite company. According to baseball-reference.com, there have been only 75 30-30 seasons in MLB history, accomplished by 51 different players. The first player to ever achieve this rare feat was Ken Williams in 1922, when he posted 39 home runs and 37 stolen bases with the St. Louis Browns.
Crow-Armstrong’s 30-30 season made him only the second player in Cubs history to reach this milestone. The first? The legendary Sammy Sosa, who accomplished the feat twice during his career—once in 1993 with 36 home runs and 33 stolen bases, and again in 1995 with 36 home runs and 34 stolen bases. Sosa’s place in Cubs lore is secure, but Crow-Armstrong has now solidified his own place in history.
What’s more impressive is that Crow-Armstrong wasn’t just rewriting Cubs history. He was part of a historic league-wide achievement. Thanks to the resurgence of the stolen base, which has been spurred by new MLB rules designed to encourage more baserunning, the 2025 season saw an unprecedented number of 30-30 seasons. Seven players, including Crow-Armstrong, reached the 30-30 milestone, breaking the previous record of four such seasons set in 2023.
The Impact of New MLB Rules: More 30-30 Seasons Than Ever Before
The spike in 30-30 seasons is directly tied to the new rules implemented by MLB to promote more action on the basepaths. These changes, which include larger bases and restrictions on pitcher pickoff moves, have made stealing bases easier and more enticing for players with speed. Crow-Armstrong is a perfect example of how these changes have helped unlock more of the game’s excitement.
But Crow-Armstrong wasn’t alone in making history. He was joined by several other notable players who also reached the 30-30 benchmark in 2025, including Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets, Julio RodrĂguez of the Seattle Mariners, Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees, JosĂ© RamĂrez of the Cleveland Indians, and Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks. This group of players, each of whom has been one of the brightest stars in the league, helped set a new standard for what is possible in today’s game.
Among these players, Lindor, RamĂrez, and RodrĂguez have all achieved multiple 30-30 seasons in their careers, underscoring their exceptional talent. Crow-Armstrong, with his combination of power and speed, is widely regarded as having the potential to join this elite group. The 2025 season was just the beginning of what could be a long and successful career. If his performance in 2025 is any indication, Crow-Armstrong is poised to make 30-30 seasons a regular occurrence for himself, and perhaps even surpass the achievements of the current leaders in the category.
The Future Is Bright for Pete Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs
As we look to the future, the sky is the limit for Pete Crow-Armstrong. At just 23 years old, he is already one of the most dynamic players in the game, with the potential to become one of the league’s true superstars. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways—whether it’s with his bat, his speed on the basepaths, or his defensive prowess—makes him a player who can change the course of a game at any moment.
For the Cubs, Crow-Armstrong’s rise to stardom represents the fulfillment of a long-term vision. His breakout 2025 season was a major turning point for the franchise, and his continued development could help propel the Cubs to even greater heights in the coming years. With a young core led by Crow-Armstrong, the Cubs are looking at a future filled with promise, and fans are hopeful that he will be the face of the franchise for years to come.
It’s clear that Pete Crow-Armstrong is more than just a player with potential—he’s a player who has arrived. In 2025, he proved that he has what it takes to be one of the best in baseball, and as he continues to develop, there’s no telling just how high his ceiling might be. The Cubs have found their star, and the entire baseball world is now watching to see what he will do next.
As the Cubs head into the offseason, the future is bright, and Pete Crow-Armstrong is at the center of it all. Cubs fans can rest easy knowing that this young phenom is ready to lead their team into a new era of success. Whether it’s his bat, his speed, or his defense, Crow-Armstrong has already proven that he is a force to be reckoned with—and this is only the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable career.
