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“He’s Different”: Kiermaier Raves About Cubs’ Crow-Armstrong
Pete Crow-Armstrong: The New King of Center Field Defense
Welcome to the Show!
Imagine a superhero patrolling center field — someone so fast, so fearless, and so good at catching baseballs that even the greatest defenders in history stop and say, "Wow." That’s Pete Crow-Armstrong (or "PCA" for short). In just his third full season in the big leagues, he’s already being called the best defensive outfielder in baseball. Let’s break down why everyone — from fans to legends — is talking about him.
Who Is Pete Crow-Armstrong?
- Team: Chicago Cubs
- Position: Center Fielder (the captain of the outfield!)
- Age: 24 (super young for this level of greatness)
- Nickname: PCA
- Big Achievement: Won his first Gold Glove Award in 2025 — given to the best defender at each position — and is a lock to win another in 2026.
Think of the Gold Glove like a "Best Defender" trophy. Winning one is huge. Winning two in a row? That’s elite.
The Legend Who Passed the Torch: Kevin Kiermaier
Before PCA, there was Kevin Kiermaier — a defensive wizard who played 11 seasons (mostly with the Tampa Bay Rays) and won:
- 4 Gold Gloves
- 1 Platinum Glove (best defender in the entire league, regardless of position)
Kiermaier heard about PCA in the minors:
"I heard ‘PCA, PCA, PCA — he might be your caliber player.’ I saw the highlights: speed, arm, everything. Okay, this dude is good. But I need to see more."
Then, in September 2024, Kiermaier (now with the Dodgers) saw PCA play live at Dodger Stadium. His reaction?
"The most impressive defensive series from an outfielder I’ve ever seen — and that version was just the beginning."
What Makes PCA So Special? (The Numbers Don’t Lie)
Baseball now uses Statcast — a high-tech tracking system that measures everything: how fast a player runs, how far they go, how quick their first step is. Here’s where PCA ranks among all MLB outfielders:
| Metric | PCA’s Number | What It Means (ELI5) |
|---|---|---|
| Jump (First Step) | +5.0 feet above average | He reacts faster than anyone — like a sprinter off the blocks |
| Feet Covered per Play | 39.8 feet (most in MLB) | He runs farther to get to balls than any other outfielder |
| 5-Star Catches | 35 (record!) | Catches with 0–25% catch probability — basically "impossible" grabs |
Callout: What’s a "5-Star Catch"?
Statcast gives every fly ball a "catch probability" from 0% to 100%.
- 0–25% = 5-Star → Almost no one catches these.
- PCA has caught 35 of them — and he succeeds 54.7% of the time on these "impossible" plays.
- That’s absurd. Most outfielders catch maybe 10–15% of these.
The "5-Star Catch" Record Explained
Here’s the mind-blowing part: PCA broke Kiermaier’s record in way fewer innings.
| Player | 5-Star Catches | Innings Played | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pete Crow-Armstrong | 35 | 1,123 | 54.7% |
| Kevin Kiermaier | 32 | 2,118 | ~15% (estimated) |
Note: Kiermaier’s first two seasons (2014–15) aren’t in Statcast data — and he was already a Gold Glove finalist/winner then. So his real total is higher.
But PCA did it in HALF the time.
When Kiermaier found out PCA passed him:
"I wish I could get back out there… but man, respect. He covers ground so fast. Cubs fans, Cubs pitchers — you’re spoiled."
Kiermaier’s Reaction: Respect and Awe
Kiermaier admits the competitor in him doesn’t want to say PCA is better. But the analyst in him knows the truth:
"His numbers are going to be off the charts. It’s his platform now — he gets to paint whatever picture he chooses."
He also sees something rare: the mindset.
"When I played, I prayed the ball would come to me — especially with a runner on third, sacrifice fly situation. PCA has that same mentality. That’s half the battle. He has the mindset AND the tools. He’s fearless."
The Mindset of an Elite Defender
What separates "great" from "best ever"? Kiermaier breaks it down:
- Want the ball — Not "hope it’s not hit to me." Want it.
- Trust your tools — Speed, jump, arm, instinct.
- Finish every play — Not just the highlights. The routine ones too.
- No fear — Dive, crash the wall, lay out. PCA does it all.
Kiermaier’s Guarantee:
"I can’t speak for him, but I guarantee he is fearless out there."
Kiermaier’s New Mission: Teaching the Next Generation
After retiring in 2024, Kiermaier didn’t walk away — he leaned in.
- Joined the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025 as a special advisor
- Spent spring training + monthly visits to minor-league affiliates
- Launched "The 3-9 Effect" — an outfield consulting program
"I knew how I was offensively — I needed help. But defensively? I figured it out. Now I want to show young outfielders: Here’s how we think. Here’s how we prepare. Here’s how we shag BP (batting practice) like it’s a game."
His goal? Revolutionize outfield defense at every level.
A Connection Through Family and Texts
- PCA and Kiermaier text occasionally — Kiermaier sends: "You’re unreal." "These catches never cease to amaze me."
- They’ve never met in person — but Kiermaier hopes that changes.
- Fun twist: Kiermaier’s brother, Dan, is the Cubs’ head groundskeeper.
"Dan tells me PCA reminds him of me. That means a lot."
Summary
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) is 24, in his 3rd full MLB season, and already the best defensive outfielder in baseball.
- Kevin Kiermaier — a 4-time Gold Glove legend — says PCA is on a "best-ever" trajectory.
- Statcast proves it: PCA leads all outfielders in jump (+5 ft), feet covered (39.8), and 5-star catches (35) — caught at a 54.7% success rate on "impossible" plays.
- He broke Kiermaier’s 5-star catch record in half the innings.
- Kiermaier now teaches defense via The 3-9 Effect, inspired by players like PCA.
- The two share mutual respect — and a family connection through the Cubs’ groundskeeper.
Bottom line: We’re watching a generational defender in real time. And he’s just getting started.
FAQ
What is a "Gold Glove"?
A Gold Glove Award is given every year to the best defensive player at each position (one per league). It’s like the "Oscar for defense." PCA won his first in 2025 and is favored to win again in 2026.
What is Statcast?
Statcast is MLB’s high-tech tracking system. Cameras and radar follow every player and ball — measuring speed, distance, reaction time, launch angle, and more. It turns "he looks fast" into "he runs 30.2 ft/sec."
What does "5-Star Catch" mean?
Statcast assigns a catch probability to every fly ball.
- 0–25% chance = 5-Star → Almost impossible to catch.
PCA has 35 of these — and catches over half of them. That’s historic.
Who is Kevin Kiermaier?
A recently retired center fielder (11 seasons, mostly with the Rays) who won 4 Gold Gloves and a Platinum Glove (best defender in all of MLB). He’s widely considered one of the greatest defensive outfielders ever — and he says PCA is better.
What is "The 3-9 Effect"?
Kiermaier’s new outfield consulting program. "3-9" refers to the center fielder’s position number (8) flanked by left (7) and right (9) — but the name reflects his mission: teach outfielders how to think, prepare, and execute like elite defenders at every level.
Final Thought:
Baseball has seen many great center fielders — Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., Andruw Jones, Mike Trout, Kiermaier.
Pete Crow-Armstrong is writing the next chapter.
And if Kiermaier is right? It might be the best chapter yet.
