Chicago Cubs’ centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is having a breakout year. Despite his recent struggles, Crow-Armstrong is batting .253 with a .785 OPS and was named to his first All-Star game this season.
A major part of his growth this year has been through the relationships he’s built with some of the veterans on the Cubs.
Anyone who watches Crow-Armstrong play knows he’s emotional. He’s the type of player that is going to give everything he has, and you’ll never have to guess how he’s feeling. Whether he hits a walk-off home run, or swings at a pitch in the dirt to strikeout, the Cubs’ outfielder will always have a priceless reaction. However, he’s found veteran mentors in Chicago to help him grow more mature and support him through his struggles.
Crow-Armstrong’s Mental Growth Reflects Veteran Clubhouse Leaders
Crow-Armstrong leads the Cubs with 28 home runs on the year and second on the team with his 85 RBI. The young, rising star began the season on fire, but has cooled off recently as he’s hitting just .173 in his last 30 games.
However, he’s had the chance to grow closer with a few veterans on the team that have really helped him grow throughout his first full season in the MLB. He’s also fostered a unique relationship with his manager, Craig Counsell, who told the young Cub he needs to focus on the next play, rather than holding onto the past.
“I’ve held on to that, and I’ve loved that, just because the result is irrelevant there,” Crow-Armstrong said (h/t marqueesportsnetwork.com). “It’s about moving forward. And I mean, [Turner] has been pretty freaking impactful for me this year, and then, you know, Counsel, and the guys being able to bring in Carlos, that was kind of an immediate impact on me as well.
Pete Crow-Armstrong over his last 162 games:
.277/.317/.527 — .845 OPS
34 HR
108 RBI
108 R
38 SBHe’s been producing for a long time now.
— The Wrigley Wire (@TheWrigleyWire) August 1, 2025
“So, yeah, I definitely think that I’ve earned the trust and continue to show some immaturity at times. And that’ll get better as we go. But yeah, I trust him fully, but that is a part of my daily goals, is to continue earning everyone’s trust.”
Everyone in the Cubs’ organization sees the talent Crow-Armstrong possesses, but it’s about him growing mentally. Veteran Justin Turner hasn’t delivered much production at the plate for Chicago, hitting just .215, but his impact off the field has been crucial.
“He’s your pro’s pro. I’d be foolish not to listen to his life and career experiences, and he’s been very generous with all that. He presented himself to me from the first day that we were teammates,” Crow-Armstrong said (h/t marqueesportsnetwork.com). “And that’s why I’m really excited about having Carlos here, too, is you’ve only heard really good things about him from afar, in terms of who he is, as a leader and a guy in the clubhouse.
“So JT, he’s just given himself to this team in a way that you kind of can’t put a price on or value in a stat line. JT has done a whole lot of good for this clubhouse as a whole.”
Justin Turner is a great teammate 🫶 pic.twitter.com/bULSv4fo0W
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 17, 2025
Turner is in his 17th year in the MLB, and he’s a two-time All-Star and World Series champion. The veteran Cub has made his mark, and Cubs’ recent waiver pickup, Carlos Santana is beginning to make his.
The veteran first baseman is hitless in his first five at-bats with the Cubs, and struggled at the plate this with the Cleveland Guardians, but just like Turner, Santana brings more value than simply his bat.
“[Turner] is not the toughest guy, but he’ll be honest and blunt as he needs to be. I think Carlos, I’m starting to learn he’s a little more the guy that you’re a little more attentive to when it comes to the point he’s trying to make, only because he just approaches it a little differently,” Crow-Armstrong said (h/t marqueesportsnetwork.com). “And that’s the beauty of it is, like, you got JT who’s more laid back and loves just getting in a conversation.
“And you can just tell speaking to Carlos that he’s intense and that he loves this game and he loves being a part of great things. So yeah, it’s a little bit of both. It usually is for me, but I really respond to that little kick in the ass. I kind of love it.”
Santana is in his 17th year in the MLB, and he’s made the All-Star game, but he’s never won a World Series. That’s something he’s hoping to be a part of in Chicago.
One thing you’ll never be able to question is Crow-Armstrong’s competitiveness, and Santana helps the young Cubs’ outfielder re-gain that fire when he’s struggling.
PETE CROW-ARMSTRONG DELIVERS 💥 pic.twitter.com/f2KAFtW0Ev
— MLB (@MLB) August 23, 2025
Crow-Armstrong got the day off on Wednesday as the Cubs finished their series against the Atlanta Braves, amid his struggles. With the team’s day off on Thursday, it gave the young outfielder two days to take a mental break and reset.
Crow-Armstrong responded by finishing Friday two-for-three with two sacrifice flies, a stolen base and a run scored. It may seem like a small measure, but the young outfielder’s ability to take the days off and come out and perform on Friday shows improvement in his mental game.
With the final stretch of the season here, the Cubs need Crow-Armstrong at his best. The young outfielder has plenty of talent, but it’s keeping his mind straight no matter what happens, and a huge factor to that success has been the Cubs’ veteran presence in the clubhouse.
