Cubs notes: Pete Crow-Armstrong fastest in team history to reach 20-20 mark

New York Times

4 hours ago

CHICAGO — Only the rain can keep Pete Crow-Armstrong from making headlines. After a brilliant display of both defense and power from Crow-Armstrong on Tuesday night, Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers was washed out.
But on a beautiful Thursday at Wrigley Field in front of 41,078 fans, Crow-Armstrong was at it again. The dynamic center fielder slugged his 20th homer of the season to become the fastest Cubs player to reach the 20-homer, 20-stolen base mark in team history.
'It feels like we're talking about him every day, which is incredible,' starting pitcher Jameson Taillon said after the Cubs' 8-7 loss. 'He's doing something fun out there on the field every day. Not super surprised. He's fun to watch, he's super talented and he works hard.'
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— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 19, 2025
It took Crow-Armstrong just 73 games to get to 20-20, topping Sammy Sosa, who needed 96 games to get there in 1994.
Only three other big-leaguers have reached the mark quicker than Crow-Armstrong: Eric Davis in 46 games (1987), Jose Canseco needed 68 (1998), and four years ago, Fernando Tatis Jr. got there in 71 games.
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'It's really cool to see him step into that role and become a star,' Taillon said. 'He's always had that air about him. But to watch him put in the work, make some adjustments — he's hit some pretty low lows in the big leagues. To be able to punch back and be who he is today is a testament to Pete.'
Crow-Armstrong kept it simple, saying, 'It's an honor,' as he spoke to the media after the game for what's becoming a regular postgame session. He has a 140 wRC+ (22nd in baseball) and a 4.1 WAR, tops in the National League. He's not just an MVP candidate, but one of the most exciting talents in today's game as he emerges as one of the faces of baseball.
As good as he's been, his manager has a simple message: Don't stop.
'Let's keep it going,' Craig Counsell said. 'He's having a great season. Those are nice round numbers, but let's make 'em crooked again.'
Oh, to be young and good at baseball. pic.twitter.com/Ufoy9Q0VHW
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 19, 2025
Taillon exited after just four innings and 68 pitches Thursday after giving up five runs, including two homers. That put him at 18 homers allowed on the season, tied for the second most in baseball.
'It's not great,' Taillon said. 'I'm a guy who gives up a lot of fly balls. I've given up homers my entire career. That said, you prefer they be solo homers.'
Thirteen of Taillon's homers allowed have been of the solo variety this season. However, on Thursday, he walked Isaac Collins after getting ahead 0-2 and then gave up a long ball to Caleb Durbin on a cutter over the heart of the plate.
'It's one of those things that when I'm scouting teams, I need to probably be even more aware of where their damage is,' Taillon said. 'I like pitching to my strengths, I like doing my thing. But now it's to a point where it's like, 'Where are guys hitting homers? Where are they doing damage? Where should I avoid?' Being up there in the top couple in homers is not something you want to be known for.'
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Taillon is a student of the game and never one to shy away from putting in the work. He'll surely put in the time to see if he can make the needed adjustments. One of his primary areas of concern is his sweeper, which hasn't been as effective this season compared to last year.
'I gave up a homer today to Rhys Hoskins on a slider,' Taillon said. 'That was a pitch for me that was so good last year, and this year I don't have the same feel for it. I'd really like to right the ship there.'
Last season, batters hit .181 with a .293 slugging percentage and just three homers off his sweeper. This season, entering play Thursday, Taillon was giving up a .259 batting average with a .552 slugging percentage on the offering. That was before allowing the homer to Hoskins, the fifth time he's allowed a round-tripper on the sweeper.
With Daniel Palencia, Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz and Caleb Thielbar all dominating out of the bullpen, Chris Flexen has almost gone overlooked. Well, as overlooked as one can be with a 0.00 ERA.
For pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched, Flexen leads baseball with his pristine ERA. Pomeranz, who threw another shutout frame, also boasts a 0.00 ERA, but he's 2/3 of an inning shy of the 20 mark.
With the Cubs trailing 8-3 after five innings, Flexen came in and tossed three shutout frames. That ties his longest outing of the season, which also came against the Brewers in his first outing with the Cubs on May 2. Flexen not only gave the Cubs a chance for a comeback Thursday, but he also made sure Counsell didn't have to go to too many other relievers.
'He's pitching really, really well,' Counsell said. 'Kind of anticipated him pitching in the longer situations more. He hasn't done it in a while, so to come out and be able to give us three innings, it's going to help us this weekend. Absolutely. An excellent job by Chris.'
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By only using three relievers after getting just four innings from their starter, Flexen's outing is huge for the Cubs. Especially after Wednesday's rainout, the reliever arms should be fresh for a weekend set against the Mariners. At some point, both Flexen and Pomeranz will give up runs. But what they've done this season is nothing short of masterful. It's a testament to the Cubs' pitching infrastructure, their ability to acquire and maximize undervalued pitching, and the pitchers, who have put in the work.