Fans crowned Pete Crow-Armstrong baseball's top center fielder. His electrifying defense and potent bat transformed the game, making him an undeniable fan favorite.
There’s no doubt that Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has turned into one of the best center fielders in the game. It took just one season for those around the league to see that.
After putting up subpar hitting numbers in 2024, Crow-Armstrong got off to a blistering start last year. He slashed .270/.305/.560 with 27 home runs, 25 doubles, four triples, 74 RBI, and 28 stolen bases across his first 100 games.
That 100-game stretch to begin the season put Crow-Armstrong firmly in the National League MVP discussion. He was playing like an MVP, and his all-around play was a large reason why the Cubs were sitting 60-40 at that point.
Although Crow-Armstrong struggled offensively in the final two months (.188 average with four home runs), he was still making an impact in center field. The 23-year-old was arguably the best defender in baseball last year.
He ranked tied for first in Outs Above Average (24), first in Runs Prevented (22), first in 5-star catches (19), and fourth in Fielding Run Value (21) among all position players in 2025. His 2 defensive WAR also ranked ninth in the Majors last year.
Crow-Armstrong was easily one of the biggest breakout stars last season. He made his first All-Star appearance, won his first Gold Glove, and finished ninth in National League MVP voting.
Following that breakout campaign, it’s easy to see why Crow-Armstrong is regarded as one of the game’s top center fielders.
He came in No. 40 on MLB Network’s Top 100 Players right now, and The Stredder ranked the Cubs outfielder as the fifth-best center fielder entering the 2026 season. Crow-Armstrong was only ranked below Julio Rodriguez, Wyatt Langford, Byron Buxton, and Jackson Merrill by The Stredder.
There’s a real argument to be made that Crow-Armstrong deserves to be ranked higher on that list. He was the second-highest ranked center fielder on MLB Network’s Top 100 Players right now, and his 6 WAR in 2025 was the second-best at the position.
While The Stredder might have ranked him too low on that list, the fans are all over the Crow-Armstrong hype. The 23-year-old was ranked as the No. 1 center fielder in baseball by the fans.
It’s not hard to see why fans voted Crow-Armstrong as the top center fielder in the game. He has become one of the most exciting players to watch, and no player made more highlight reel catches in center field than him last year.