Chicago Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong continues to make the impossible look routine, and even manager Craig Counsell is running out of ways to describe what his young center fielder is doing. Crow-Armstrong delivered the biggest offensive performance of his career Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds, launching three home runs in the Cubs’ dominant 17-5 victory at Wrigley Field. It was the first three-homer game of Crow-Armstrong’s major-league career and another enormous statement in what has become a remarkable 2026 campaign.
The performance was so impressive that it left Counsell reflecting on just how unusual Crow-Armstrong’s season has become. Rather than treating the game as simply another outstanding night from one of his best players, the Cubs manager emphasized that Chicago is watching something that does not happen very often. Counsell described Crow-Armstrong’s season as something people will remember, adding that the Cubs are fortunate to have a front-row seat to it.
“Pete’s having a wonderful season. It’s a lot of fun to watch,” Counsell said, emphasizing how special it has been to watch the young star develop.
Crow-Armstrong’s power has reached another level
The three-home-run performance pushed Crow-Armstrong’s season total to 39 home runs, providing another major boost to his already compelling National League MVP case. What makes the production even more remarkable is that his value is not limited to his power.
Crow-Armstrong has developed into one of baseball’s most complete players. He combines elite speed, exceptional defense, improving plate discipline and increasingly dangerous power. That combination has transformed him from a highly regarded young player into one of the central figures in the Cubs’ push toward October.
Counsell specifically pointed to the amount of development Crow-Armstrong has made during the season. The manager credited the 24-year-old’s talent, work ethic, baseball intelligence and the influence of his teammates and coaches for helping him reach another level.
That development is especially significant because Crow-Armstrong entered the major leagues with enormous expectations largely because of his defense and athleticism. His offensive growth, however, has changed the conversation completely. He is no longer simply an elite defensive center fielder who can contribute offensively. He has become a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat who can change games with one swing.
A performance that strengthens the MVP argument
The timing of Crow-Armstrong’s explosion is also important. The Cubs are entering the most critical portion of the regular season, and the NL MVP conversation has increasingly centered around Crow-Armstrong and Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.
Crow-Armstrong has repeatedly produced performances that keep him firmly in that conversation. Earlier in August, he hit a leadoff home run and a walk-off home run against the Chicago White Sox, becoming the first Cubs player to accomplish that feat in the same game. That performance also secured his second consecutive 30-home-run, 30-steal season.
That achievement alone placed him in rare company. Crow-Armstrong became the first player in Cubs history to record consecutive 30-30 seasons and only the 10th player in MLB history to accomplish the feat. His combination of power and speed has become one of the defining elements of Chicago’s season.
Now, with 39 home runs, Crow-Armstrong has added another spectacular chapter to his season.
Counsell sees something unusual
For Counsell, the most impressive aspect may not even be the three home runs themselves. The Cubs manager has watched Crow-Armstrong’s progression throughout the year and has seen how much more controlled the young hitter has become.
Earlier in the season, Counsell praised Crow-Armstrong for improving his approach at the plate, particularly his ability to recognize pitches, take balls outside the strike zone and wait for opportunities instead of trying to force production. That development has helped turn his natural power into much more consistent offensive production.
That is why Counsell’s latest comments carry so much weight. He is not simply praising a player after a big game. He is acknowledging the evolution of a young star who has rapidly expanded his game.
Counsell noted that Crow-Armstrong has done things this season that have not been accomplished in a long time, which is precisely why the MVP discussion has become so serious.
The Cubs are benefiting from a superstar emergence
Chicago’s hopes of making a deep postseason run have been strengthened by Crow-Armstrong’s emergence. The Cubs need star-level performances during the stretch run, and they are getting exactly that from their center fielder.
His three-homer performance also came in a game where the Cubs’ offense exploded for 17 runs. That means Crow-Armstrong was not simply responsible for a narrow victory; his power helped fuel a complete offensive assault against Cincinnati.
The bigger story, however, is what this means for the Cubs going forward.
Chicago now has a player capable of producing in virtually every way. Crow-Armstrong can beat opponents with his legs, make spectacular defensive plays, create extra-base hits and now routinely change games with home runs. His ability to contribute across multiple areas makes him particularly valuable during a playoff race where every game carries greater weight.
Cubs fans have plenty to be excited about
The reaction from inside the organization reflects what Cubs fans have increasingly recognized throughout the season: Crow-Armstrong is becoming the face of the franchise’s next era.
Counsell’s comments show that the Cubs understand they are watching something special. He described himself, the coaching staff and the players as fortunate to witness Crow-Armstrong’s season from such a close distance.
And the remarkable part is that Crow-Armstrong’s historic night may not even be the final major moment of his 2026 campaign.
With the regular season moving toward its conclusion, the Cubs will need their best players to continue producing. Crow-Armstrong has already demonstrated that he can handle the pressure. His consecutive 30-30 seasons, historic walk-off performances and now his first three-homer game have made that clear.
The MVP debate will continue, particularly with Ohtani producing at an elite level for Los Angeles. But Crow-Armstrong has made it increasingly difficult to dismiss his candidacy. His production, defense, speed and consistency give him a case that extends well beyond traditional offensive statistics.
For Counsell, the situation is simpler. He gets to watch one of baseball’s most exciting young players every night and right now, even the Cubs manager seems amazed by just how far Crow-Armstrong has taken his game.
At 24 years old, with 39 home runs and another historic performance already added to his résumé, Pete Crow-Armstrong is no longer merely having a breakout season. He is building the kind of campaign Cubs fans may be talking about for years.
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