Crow-Armstrong increases popularity as Cubs win opener against Brewers
The first MLB all-star voting returns were more confirmation than surprise when it comes to Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Going back to the opening series in Japan, it's been clear PCA is one of the most popular young stars in the game. As of Monday, he'd collected the fourth-most all-star votes of any player in the game, trailing only Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman.
PCA was relatively quiet until the eighth inning Tuesday when he made a diving catch in right-center field to rob Brice Turang of a hit. Then he stepped to the plate and crushed the first pitch of the bottom half high off the scoreboard for his 19th home run of the season.
Of course, that had fans on their feet chanting both “PCA” and “MVP.” Maybe he'll even pick up the pace in all-star voting.
“That's the best right there, you know?” Crow-Armstrong said after the game. “So personable and just feels super real and cool. So, yeah, the fans that come to Wrigley Field are the best fans in baseball. It's a grindy season that we play and those are like the little wins.”
Seiya Suzuki's 3-run homer in the fifth put the Cubs ahead and PCA provided the padding in a 5-3 victory over the Brewers. The Cubs now lead Milwaukee by 6 ½ games in the NL Central standings.
Crow-Armstrong's home run was estimated by Statcast to have traveled 452 feet, which made it the longest homer by a Cubs player this season. The ball hit the right-field scoreboard at the second spot in the Brewers batting order. In the old days, it might have broken a window on Sheffield Avenue.
Cubs starter Ben Brown flirted with danger throughout his 5 innings on the mound. He allowed a 2-run homer to Isaac Collins in the second inning, plus 3 doubles and 2 walks. But Brown stranded seven runners and kept the Brewers at just 2 runs.
After the game, he was asked if Shota Imanaga’s impending return from the injured list is on his mind. Either Brown or Cade Horton will almost certainly be sent to Triple-A to open the roster spot.
“Whatever it is, Jed (Hoyer) and Carter (Hawkins) make those decisions and I’m just grateful to be a part of the team today,” Brown said. “Just got to keep putting on work to be a part of the team in the future and whatever that decision is, it is what it is.”
Crow-Armstrong admitted he almost never watched the All-Star Game growing up. That's not because he disliked the event, but it's an early start in the Pacific time zone and he was probably out playing baseball himself most of the time.
“I watched the (home run) derby,” he said. “I feel like I watched one All-Star Game that I can remember when Mike Trout got the car for winning the MVP.
“The dream is just being able to get to do this every day. I've only heard that all-star week moves by really fast and everybody tries their best to take it all in, but it's difficult. Being able to share the field with guys like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge and all that's great. I see it as I get to do that every day with Tuck (Kyle Tucker) and (Ian) Happ.”
Considering Crow-Armstrong ranks seventh in MLB with 19 homers, a spot in the home run derby would be appropriate.
“No, no, that's not for me,” he said. “That's different kind of power, I think. I don't know if I can withstand however long the timer is there. That would be a struggle.”
PCA and Tucker are 1-2 in voting among National League outfielders. Phase 1 of voting lasts until June 26 at 11 a.m. Then the top two vote-getters at each position, six outfielders, move on to Phase 2, which goes from June 30 to July 2.
Several other Cubs are in the running to advance. Carson Kelly ranks second at catcher, behind the Dodgers' Will Smith; designated hitter Suzuki, second baseman Nico Hoerner and first baseman Michael Busch are all in third place; third baseman Matt Shaw is fourth and shortstop Dansby Swanson fifth.
“I take pride in being able to say I'm one of many Cubbies that are getting a really nice nods,” Crow-Armstrong said. “Because everybody in this clubhouse deserves those votes.
“I would like to see a lot of us get sent to Atlanta, but if it happens, it happens. If it doesn't — oh well, we all get a week off and a nice little reset.”