Pete Crow Armstrong is one of the most exciting young players in Major League Baseball right now. He plays center field for the Chicago Cubs, he hits the ball hard, he runs fast, and — as of May 2026 — he knows how to create headlines both on and off the field. Whether you landed here looking for his stats, his background, his contract, or that viral fan incident, you’re in the right place.
Let’s get into all of it.
Who Is Pete Crow Armstrong?
Pete Crow Armstrong — widely known as PCA — was born on March 25, 2002, in Los Angeles, California. He stands 6 feet tall and weighs around 184 pounds. He bats and throws left-handed, which is always a nice combination for a speedy outfielder.
What makes PCA’s story a little different from most ballplayers is his family background. Baseball and Hollywood don’t usually mix, but in his case, they literally do.
Pete Crow Armstrong Parents: Acting Runs in the Family
His mom, Ashley Crow, is a well-known actress. If you grew up watching the 1994 baseball movie Little Big League, you already know her — she played the mother of the main character. She also appeared in Minority Report and the TV series Heroes.
His dad, Matthew John Armstrong, is also an accomplished actor. He has had roles in American Dreams, The Young and the Restless, and American Horror Story.
So yes — Pete Crow Armstrong parents are both professional actors. The kid literally grew up in Hollywood and still chose baseball. Respect.
His father grew up in Illinois as a Cubs fan, which makes Pete playing for Chicago feel like something out of a movie script. Fitting, given the family business.
Pete Crow Armstrong High School and College Background
PCA went to Harvard-Westlake High School in Los Angeles — one of the most elite prep schools in the country. He was a standout there, graduating as the program’s all-time leader in hits and runs scored, even though his senior season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Harvard-Westlake has produced some impressive baseball talent. Pitchers Lucas Giolito, Max Fried, and Jack Flaherty all came from the same school. PCA is keeping that tradition very much alive, though he traded the mound for center field.
As for college — he never went. The New York Mets drafted Pete Crow Armstrong 19th overall in the 2020 MLB Draft straight out of high school. He had the talent to go directly professional, and he took that path.
The Trade That Changed Everything: From the Mets to the Cubs
Here’s a piece of history worth knowing. Pete Crow Armstrong started his professional journey as a New York Met. The Mets originally drafted him, and at the time, he was considered one of the better prospects in their system.
But just one week into his pro career, he suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder, which cost him the entire 2021 season.
Then came the trade. On July 30, 2021, the Cubs acquired Pete Crow Armstrong from the Mets in exchange for infielder Javier Báez and pitcher Trevor Williams. At the time, many thought the Cubs were selling low. Looking back now — the Cubs won that deal by a wide margin.
Ironically, Crow-Armstrong was actually part of the reason the Cubs passed on a pick at No. 16 in the 2020 draft. They considered him seriously at that slot before ultimately selecting prep shortstop Ed Howard instead. They eventually got him anyway.
Pete Crow Armstrong Stats: The Numbers Tell the Story
2024 — The Rookie Season
In his first full MLB season, PCA hit .237 across 123 games with the Cubs. He recorded 10 home runs, 47 RBI, and 27 stolen bases. His six triples tied for the most among all MLB rookies.
He also went 23-for-23 in stolen base attempts at one point from May to August — a streak that turned heads league-wide. His 90% stolen base success rate on the season ranked first among all rookies with at least 20 attempts, per MLB.com.
He became the first Cub since Kris Bryant in 2015 to record at least 10 doubles, five triples, and 10 home runs in a rookie season.
2025 — The Breakout
This is when things got really interesting. PCA slashed .247/.287/.481 in 2025 with 31 home runs, 95 RBI, and 35 stolen bases. He became the first player in Cubs franchise history to record 30+ home runs, 30+ doubles, and 30+ stolen bases in a single season. He was also the first Cub in franchise history to reach the 20 HR/20 SB mark in the fewest games in team history, surpassing Sammy Sosa’s record from the 1990s.
He made his first MLB All-Star team, won a Gold Glove Award in center field, and finished ninth in National League MVP voting.
According to Baseball Savant, he ranked in the 100th percentile in Outs Above Average. That’s not a typo — the 100th percentile. His defensive numbers were historically good.
2026 — The Current Season
Through 48 games in 2026, PCA is hitting .229 with five home runs, 20 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. He’s ranked fourth in the NL in steals. The numbers are a bit slow to start, but as history shows, he tends to heat up as the weather warms in Chicago.
You can track his advanced metrics anytime on Baseball Savant and FanGraphs, both of which offer detailed Statcast data, sprint speed, exit velocity, and more.
Pete Crow Armstrong Contract: $115 Million to Stay in Chicago
In March 2026, the Cubs and PCA made it official. He signed a six-year, $115 million contract extension that kicks in starting in 2027 and runs through the 2032 season.
The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan and later confirmed by the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. It does not include any club options, meaning Crow-Armstrong can hit free agency before his age-31 season.
The extension was announced on Opening Day 2026, right after the Cubs lost to the Washington Nationals. Not the best timing for a celebration, but the contract news overshadowed the loss quickly.
His parents — Ashley Crow and Matthew Armstrong — were both in attendance at the press conference. His dad, a Cubs fan his whole life, was there to watch his son sign a nine-figure deal to stay in Chicago long-term. That’s a good day by any standard.
“That’s the best part is knowing that I’m here. It’s where I wanted to be,” PCA said at the press conference.
The Fan Incident: What Did Pete Crow Armstrong Say?
This is probably why many of you are here. In May 2026, during the Cubs-White Sox Crosstown Classic, Pete Crow Armstrong got into a heated exchange with a fan that went viral almost immediately.
Here’s what happened. During the fifth inning of the May 18 game at Rate Field, PCA nearly made an incredible catch on a deep fly ball. He slammed into the outfield wall but came up empty. Two runs scored on the play, helping the White Sox take control. As he sat on the warning track, a woman in the fan area near the fence started heckling him aggressively.
PCA stood up, stepped toward the fence, and responded with very vulgar language — specifically a phrase not appropriate to print in full here, directed at the female fan.
The video spread across social media within hours.
By the next day, MLB fined Crow-Armstrong for the incident. No suspension was issued. According to ESPN, the league was aware of the situation but did not pursue further discipline beyond the fine.
What Did Pete Crow Armstrong Say After?
To his credit, PCA addressed reporters directly the following day and did not hide from the moment.
“I think I just regret my choice of words the most,” he told reporters, “and who that affects in my life directly and indirectly. I don’t think that any of the women in my life would ever think that I would use those kinds of words regularly. I’m just bummed out about the word choice, and that a bunch of little kids go and probably find their way to social media and see that as well.”
He added: “I am intense on the field and in a moment like that, I just let it get away from me a little bit.”
Cubs manager Craig Counsell backed his player while also acknowledging the mistake. “Pete made a mistake with his choice of words. He’s aware of that. It’s a reality of this job. Fan interactions happen. You want to try to keep them positive, even when they’re not.”
Counsell was also clear that PCA should not lose his competitive fire — just channel it differently in those situations.
The woman involved was reportedly at the game for her engagement party. The Cubs lost that game 9-8 in extra innings. Rough all around.
Was PCA wrong? Yes, and he said so himself. Is it the end of the world? Probably not. He’s 24, he’s passionate about the game, and he’s learning what it means to be a public figure at a very high level. The fine, the apology, and the self-awareness all suggest he understands that.
Pete Crow Armstrong Girlfriend: Hailey Lavelle
Yes, PCA is taken — and he has a pretty good story about how it happened.
Pete Crow Armstrong is dating Hailey Lavelle, a licensed esthetician based in Chicago. The two have been together since late 2023, and their relationship has quietly become one of the more wholesome storylines following the Cubs star.
The origin story is genuinely fun. The couple met at Vanessa Hudgens and Cole Tucker wedding in Tulum, Mexico, in December 2023 — a celebrity event that PCA attended as a friend of the groom’s brother, Carson Tucker. Cole Tucker, for context, is a former MLB infielder who retired in 2025. The whole thing sounds like a rom-com setup, and PCA basically confirmed it. He later told GQ: “A little more happened than that.”
By the 2025 MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta, the relationship was firmly public. The two walked the red carpet together, and Crow-Armstrong told Marquee Sports Network: “It’s my first red carpet. I’m glad I’ve got someone good looking with me and to hold my sweaty hands.” Very smooth, PCA.
Hailey has her own career well outside of baseball. She runs a boutique esthetician practice, specializing in skincare treatments, facials, and beauty services, and keeps a relatively low profile on social media compared to the typical MLB WAG presence.
One fun bonus detail: Crow-Armstrong has credited Lavelle’s sister for his distinctive hairstyle. So if you’ve been wondering who is responsible for the curls — now you know.
Pete Crow Armstrong Signature Look: The Hair
If you’ve searched “Pete Crow Armstrong hair,” you’re not alone. PCA rocks a curly, somewhat wild hairstyle that has become part of his brand. It fits his free-spirited, energetic personality on the field.
It’s the kind of hair that says “I’ll rob your home run and steal a base before you can blink.” And honestly, he backs that up.
Pete Crow Armstrong Jersey, Shirt, and Wallpaper
PCA wears No. 44 for the Chicago Cubs. His jersey and shirts are available through the MLB official store and most major sports retailers. Given his rising profile and the new long-term contract, demand for his merchandise has grown steadily since his 2025 breakout season.
For Pete Crow Armstrong wallpapers, your best options are the Cubs’ official social media pages and MLB’s official app, which regularly post high-quality photos and graphics. His Statcast highlights and defensive catches also make for excellent wallpaper material, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Pete Crow Armstrong Rookie Card
Baseball card collectors have taken notice of PCA. His 2024 Topps rookie cards are the primary ones to look for, as 2024 was the season he exceeded MLB rookie limits. His Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome cards have both seen increased interest following his 2025 All-Star season.
If you’re looking to invest or collect, checking platforms like eBay or COMC for current market values is the most reliable approach, as card prices fluctuate with performance.
What’s Next for PCA?
Pete Crow Armstrong is locked in at Wrigley Field through 2032. He’s already a Gold Glove winner, an All-Star, and a franchise cornerstone at just 24 years old. He represented Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, going 5-for-19 with two home runs and six RBI as the Americans reached the finals.
The fan incident will fade. The stats won’t. And if 2025 was the beginning of his prime, Cubs fans have a lot of very good baseball ahead of them.
Chicago got their guy. And for once, he’s not going anywhere.
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