After a very, very slow start to his 2026 season, Pete Crow-Armstrong turned on the jets in June. (Actually, a bit before that, as I will show you.)
In 26 games in June, PCA batted .381/.468/.781 (40-for-105) with five doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 20 RBI, 21 runs scored, 17 walks and eight stolen bases (no caught stealing).
For that fantastic performance, PCA was named National League Player of the Month for June, adding another honor to the two Player of the Week awards he won during the month.
As I mentioned, he actually began his climb out of his slump in late May, per this cubs.com article by Jordan Bastian:
Crow-Armstrong has also thrived since being installed as the Cubs’ primary leadoff man in late May. In 22 games as Chicago’s tablesetter, the center fielder has hit .396/.462/.813 with nine homers, seven doubles, two triples, six steals, 10 walks and 16 RBIs. He has said he has embraced the “responsibility” that comes with the role.
One thing Crow-Armstrong has cited has been an improved understanding of looking for a specific pitch and being stubborn about sticking to that plan. The byproduct of that mindset has been a walk rate nearly doubled (8.5%) over last season (4.5%), even as his swing rate has reduced since the start of the season (56.6% through April and 48.2% in May-June).
“He’s in swing mode. It’s kind of his thing,” Counsell said. “And I think now it’s a little bit like he’s learned that he can be in swing mode and still not swing. And I think that’s how he should be. It’s still an aggressive mode. It doesn’t take anything away from his aggressiveness.”
It seems so simple, but indeed, PCA has taken to that leadoff role. The walks are a great sign of this. Here’s one reason he’s been able to do that (Bluesky link):
Here’s more from the Bastian article on just how special PCA’s June was:
Crow-Armstrong was the first Cubs batter with at least 11 homers, 20 RBIs and 40 hits in a month since Nick Castellanos in August of ‘19. Add the 17 walks into the equation and you have to go back to Hall of Famer Hack Wilson, who did it in July 1929 and August 1930. Throw in Crow-Armstrong’s eight stolen bases and he stands alone for any month by a Cubs batter.
In fact, Crow-Armstrong is only the second player since at least 1920 (when RBIs became an official stat) to have at least eight steals, 11 homers, 17 walks and 40 hits in one month. The only other player to do it was Barry Bonds in 1992, but that was in a September-October period featuring 31 games. Crow-Armstrong did it in 26 games in June.
In addition to all the hitting, he continued his stellar defense. Here’s a five-star catch he made against the Rockies June 11 [VIDEO].
Perhaps not coincidentally (PCA also went 2-for-5 with a steal in that game), that was the game that began the Cubs’ current 15-4 run.
PCA also currently leads all MLB players with 5.2 bWAR — that’s a possible 10 WAR season if he keeps this up. He’s a lock to be a reserve on the NL All-Star team and these numbers vault him into the MVP conversation.
Congratulations to Pete on this honor and here’s hoping for many more.
