This article takes a look at the recent slump of Chicago Cubs star and MVP candidate Pete Crow-Armstrong. He’s admitted he’s been struggling at the plate, even though his numbers earlier in the season looked fantastic.
Crow-Armstrong’s self-critique might sound a bit harsh if you just look at his July stats. Still, August has definitely brought him some real challenges.
The piece digs into his statistical drop-off. It also touches on how pitchers have started adjusting to him, and how the Cubs are hoping he finds his swing again before this cold stretch drags on too long.
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Stellar July
Before the recent struggles, Pete Crow-Armstrong looked unstoppable. From the All-Star break through July, he posted a wild 188 wRC+—that’s up there with the best hitters in baseball for that stretch.
His July included nine doubles and two homers. That was easily his most productive month so far.
At just 22, he showed off both contact and power. Cubs fans started dreaming big for the rest of the season.
Confidence at the Plate Translated into Results
In July, Crow-Armstrong didn’t just make contact; he hit the ball hard. He punished mistakes in the strike zone and drove the ball with real authority.
His wOBA on pitches in the “heart” of the zone soared to an elite .540, way above the MLB average of .314. That kind of production turned him into a true middle-of-the-order threat for Chicago.
August Brings a Sudden Cold Spell
But then August showed up, and the hot streak vanished. In his first nine games of the month, Crow-Armstrong managed just three hits—only one for extra bases—and he hasn’t drawn a walk yet.
What’s weird is his plate discipline hasn’t slipped. His August chase rate is actually the best it’s been all season.
Still, even with fewer swings at bad pitches, his numbers have absolutely tanked.
The Sharp Drop in Zone Production
The most jarring stat is his wOBA on pitches in the heart of the zone. After July’s .540, it crashed to just .078 in August, way below league average.
For a guy who thrives on hammering mistakes, that’s rough. It’s not that he’s seeing fewer good pitches—it’s that he’s just not squaring them up right now.
What’s Causing the Slump?
Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly says Crow-Armstrong’s swing mechanics and tempo look fine. The real difference? He’s missing the barrel more often and rolling over ground balls instead of launching those hard, pulled fly balls that drive in runs.
It’s a subtle thing, but in baseball, those tiny differences matter a ton.
Pitchers are Changing Their Game Plan
Pitchers have caught on quickly. Now, they’re feeding him more offspeed stuff, staying away from the strike zone early, then elevating fastballs late.
This mix messes with his timing and forces him to keep adjusting. He’s reading pitches well, but the solid contact just isn’t there right now.
Mental Approach and Moving Forward
True to form, Crow-Armstrong joked that sometimes he “just sucks at hitting baseballs.” That kind of self-awareness can help hit the reset button mentally.
Instead of overanalyzing every at-bat, he’s leaning on his elite defense and hoping that one big hit is all it’ll take to get him rolling again.
The Cubs Hope for a Quick Turnaround
For a team fighting for playoff position, having one of their top offensive weapons stuck in neutral just isn’t ideal. The Cubs are crossing their fingers that Crow-Armstrong’s drought is a temporary blip rather than a slump that drags down their postseason hopes.
Even the best hitters run into rough patches. Sometimes, breaking out comes down to one lucky swing.
- July production: 188 wRC+, nine doubles, two homers
- August struggles: Three hits in nine games, no walks
- Main issue: Missing on hittable pitches in the strike zone
- Pitchers’ adjustment: More offspeed, attack away early, elevate late
- Mindset: Focus on defense, avoid overthinking
If Crow-Armstrong finds his July groove again, the Cubs’ offense gets a lot scarier for opponents. Baseball’s always about adjustments, and right now, it’s the young center fielder’s turn to figure it out.
Here is the source article for this story: What’s led to Pete Crow-Armstrong’s rough start to August?
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