Pete Crow-Armstrong is at a pivotal point in his career, and he knows it. His journey to becoming a successful hitter hinges on one critical aspect: swing decisions.
In his own words, Crow-Armstrong acknowledges, “It’s definitely the swing decisions. I know what I do well.
I know what I don’t do well. I know that I chase.”
This self-awareness is crucial, especially when considering his 41.7% chase rate on pitches outside the strike zone last year-one of the highest in baseball. While this doesn't spell doom, it certainly leaves little room for error.
This preseason, including the World Baseball Classic, offers a glimpse into Crow-Armstrong's offseason progress. Representing Team USA, he started as a defensive substitute but quickly made his mark with a two-home-run performance against Team Italy, seizing the center field role from Byron Buxton. Among the eight core players with 20 plate appearances, Crow-Armstrong's .263/.333/.632 slash line and .402 wOBA were impressive, trailing only Kyle Schwarber and Brice Turang.
Digging deeper, there's a noticeable change in his approach. During the tournament, Crow-Armstrong faced 40 pitches outside the strike zone, swinging at just 13.
This 32.5% chase rate marks a significant improvement from his previous numbers. While still above the league average of 28.2%, it moves him from the fifth-worst to the 28th-worst among qualified hitters-a shift that can turn strikeouts into competitive at-bats.
This trend continues in less formal settings too. In 14 Cactus League plate appearances, he's swung at just 30.8% of pitches outside the zone.
The real test, however, will be maintaining this discipline over the grueling 162-game season. Slumps are inevitable, and sticking to a refined approach is challenging.
Yet, what stands out is Crow-Armstrong's recognition of his weaknesses and his commitment to improvement. This maturity could make him a formidable opponent in the league. If he maintains this trajectory, Crow-Armstrong's growth could spell trouble for pitchers across the board.