Overview
- Cubs manager Craig Counsell moved Crow-Armstrong to the top of the order on May 23, and he has since slashed .387/.451/.774 across a 26-game run that transformed a slow start.
- In the latest games he belted a two-run homer on June 20, extended an on-base streak to 23 games, drew his 28th walk and sits near 16 home runs, 40 RBI and roughly an .880 OPS.
- Analysts point to real process changes behind the surge: swing and chase rates are down and his walk rate has nearly doubled, which has raised his on-base ability and power chances.
- Crow-Armstrong’s value has climbed—he leads the National League in fWAR during this stretch—but the Cubs remain roughly third in the NL Central because starting pitching and the bullpen have struggled.
- The immediate implication is Counsell will likely keep him atop the lineup, and the key questions now are whether Crow-Armstrong sustains his new approach and whether Chicago’s pitching improves enough to turn his production into more wins.