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Drew VonScio is a Newsweek contributor based mostly in Pittsburgh, PA. His focus is on MLB content material. Drew has been with Newsweek since December 2024 and in addition works full-time at WTOV, a TV station in Steubenville, Ohio. He’s a 2023 graduate of Bethany School (WV) and a 2024 graduate of the S.I. Newhouse College of Public Communications at Syracuse College. You may get in contact with Drew by emailing d.vonScio@newsweek.com.
Contributing Sports activities Author
The Chicago Cubs have quite a lot of expertise to push for a Nationwide League Central title.
Doing so will not be simple even with the St. Louis Cardinals retooling the roster and the wildcards of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds. Nevertheless, one participant might have a powerful season to push the crew over the end line.
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Pete Crow-Armstrong grew to become an everyday within the lineup for the Cubs final season as he discovered a house in heart area. Coming into his age-23 season, he has a possibility to assist his crew win its division.
ESPN’s David Schoenfield, in an effort to seek out the following participant who might produce a stat reminiscent of Ronald Acuña Jr.’s 40 residence runs and 70 stolen bases, ran 25 simulations on “Out of the Park Baseball” (subscription required). One in every of his findings will definitely shock Cubs followers.
“Crow-Armstrong compares in quite a lot of methods to Jarren Duran, who had a exceptional 2024 with 8.7 WAR for the Boston Pink Sox,” wrote Schoenfield. “Each are tooled-up gamers who can beat you with their velocity, protection and bat. Duran had 2.2 WAR in 2023 in 362 plate appearances earlier than his monster 2024 season; Crow-Armstrong had 2.3 WAR in 410 plate appearances in 2024.”
Crow-Armstrong is already identified for his protection across the league. He hit .237 in 372 at-bats final season and appears to enhance upon it. If he can accomplish that, the Cubs might run away with the NL Central.
“The Cubs ranked seventh within the NL in runs in 2024, nevertheless it’s simple to ascertain a significantly better offense in 2025 with Kyle Tucker, enchancment from Crow-Armstrong and a optimistic contribution from rookie third baseman Matt Shaw,” wrote Schoenfield. “Whereas Tucker needs to be the most effective gamers within the NL, Crow-Armstrong and Shaw are clearly greater unknowns. But when Crow-Armstrong — one in every of my most intriguing gamers of 2025 — delivers a 7-WAR season, the Cubs will likely be laborious to beat within the NL Central.”
Crow-Armstrong actually has some huge sneakers to fill for the Cubs, however they’re counting on him to ship this season. He was hitless in seven at-bats through the Tokyo Collection, however there’s quite a lot of baseball left to be performed for him and the Cubs.
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