Pete Crow-Armstrong Crushes Unhittable Pitch, Continues Meteoric Rise With Cubs

CHICAGO — There are home runs. There are impressive home runs. And then there are the kind that make baseball purists sit back and say, “Wait, he hit what?” That was the reaction Thursday night when Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong launched a high fastball—nearly 9 inches above the strike zone—into the right-field seats at Wrigley Field.

According to ESPN Research, the pitch measured exactly 8.1 inches above the top of the zone, making it the furthest pitch outside the strike zone that has been hit for a home run in Major League Baseball this season. A statistical marvel. A pitcher’s pitch, turned into a hitter’s highlight.

And Crow-Armstrong? He just called it “cool.”

One Pitch, One Swing, One Defining Moment

The pitch came from Pirates left-hander Andrew Heaney, who has a reputation for high heat. It was the fourth inning of a scoreless game, and both teams had been struggling to manufacture offense in the early going. Then came the heater, rising like a missile above the letters.

“I’m just committing to being on time for it,” Crow-Armstrong said after the Cubs pulled off a 3-2 win. “He’s got a good heater from a lower slot, so it looks like it’s going to rise on you. I already had that in my head. Thankfully, I got the barrel to it.”

The swing was both violent and beautiful, the kind of raw athleticism that turns heads across the league. The ball sailed into the right-field bleachers, giving the Cubs a 2-0 lead and sparking a buzz that carried through the rest of the evening at Wrigley.

It wasn’t just a home run. It was a statement.

Turning Bad Pitches Into Big Moments

Pete Crow-Armstrong is not a typical slugger. He’s not hunting just for mistakes over the heart of the plate. This season, he’s made a habit out of punishing bad pitches—just not the kind you’d expect. Most hitters wait for the ball to come to them in the zone. PCA, as he’s affectionately known, has found ways to attack pitches far outside of it.

The high fastball Thursday wasn’t an isolated event. Crow-Armstrong already has two other home runs this season on pitches at least three inches below the strike zone, including one that was a staggering 5.8 inches under the bottom edge of the zone back in May.

“He hits pitches most guys take without thinking twice,” said Cubs reliever Ryan Pressly. “Sometimes, he’s digging them off the ground, and other times he’s going up and getting them over his head. As a pitcher, that’s a nightmare. You just don’t know where to go.”

Building a Case for Stardom

What Crow-Armstrong is doing this season goes far beyond viral highlights. With 18 home runs and 21 stolen bases already, the 22-year-old outfielder is making a serious push toward All-Star recognition in just his second full year in the majors.

Even more impressively, all 18 of his homers have come in the last two calendar months. That kind of power surge combined with his Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field has made him one of the most valuable players in the National League by fWAR (FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement).

“He’s just been phenomenal,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “What you’ve seen for decades in this game is that it’s hard—really hard—to hit balls out of the zone for home runs. He’s rewriting that understanding. Every time he steps up, he’s making pitchers uncomfortable.”

Counsell attributes part of Crow-Armstrong’s success to timing.

“He’s on time, and when he’s on time, he gets his A-swing off,” Counsell said. “That A-swing can cover a lot of territory. He’s not trying to do too much. He’s not guessing. He’s just prepared, and it shows.”

Friendly Fire: A Clubhouse Rivalry Brews

Adding to the excitement around Crow-Armstrong’s breakout season is the light-hearted competition brewing inside the Cubs’ clubhouse. His 18 homers have him locked in a dead heat with teammate Seiya Suzuki, who has 17 of his own after going deep in the same game Thursday.

The two have developed a fun and friendly rivalry, often nudging each other in the dugout after big swings. It’s all part of the chemistry that’s made the Cubs one of the National League’s most dangerous and balanced teams.

“Seiya’s a beast. We both want to lead, but we also love pushing each other,” Crow-Armstrong said. “It’s not about being the guy every night. It’s about doing your part. That’s what’s been so fun about this season—everybody is stepping up at different times.”

Add right fielder Kyle Tucker into the mix—another powerful lefty bat—and the Cubs suddenly have a formidable trio in the heart of their lineup. With speed, power, and elite defense all represented, it’s the kind of combination that gives opposing teams fits.

A Quiet Confidence, a Loud Impact

Despite all the buzz around his name, Crow-Armstrong maintains a grounded demeanor. He’s quick to deflect praise and always brings the conversation back to the team. His humility, combined with his electric play, has made him a fan favorite on the North Side.

“What I’m doing is just contributing to the bigger picture,” he said. “I’m not trying to be the star. I’m just trying to be part of something that’s working. That’s the coolest thing—on any night, someone else can carry the load.”

Still, the numbers speak loudly. Crow-Armstrong is now one of the top RBI producers in the National League, tied with Suzuki for second place. He’s doing it without chasing stats, focusing instead on approach and process.

He’s showing a level of maturity far beyond his years—and redefining what’s possible when a hitter combines athleticism, preparation, and fearlessness at the plate.

Source: Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong calls out-of-zone home run ‘cool’

A Star in the Making

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore what Pete Crow-Armstrong is doing in 2025. His combination of highlight-reel defense, aggressive base running, and now home run power from unexpected parts of the strike zone is unlike anything else in baseball right now.

“He’s proving people wrong every single game,” said Counsell. “I don’t think we’ve seen the ceiling yet.”

As the Cubs continue their push atop the National League standings, Crow-Armstrong is doing more than his part. He’s not just helping the Cubs win games—he’s providing moments that fans will remember for years to come.

His home run off Heaney wasn’t just a cool moment. It was symbolic of a player who isn’t bound by convention, who’s willing to swing at pitches others fear, and who somehow keeps making it work.

In a league where margins are slim and players are constantly analyzed, Crow-Armstrong is succeeding on feel, reaction, and an uncanny sense of timing.

The “bad-ball king” has arrived. And if Thursday’s towering shot is any indication, he’s just getting warmed up.