Cubs’ Crow-Armstrong Eyes Leadoff Role Amid Lineup Changes

CHICAGO, Ill. — Pete Crow-Armstrong, the promising outfielder for the Chicago Cubs, is eager to prove his worth as the team prepares for its 2025 season debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night. Despite his aspirations to become a leadoff hitter, Crow-Armstrong recognizes that he must wait for his opportunity as veteran Ian Happ continues to excel in that role.

“Ultimately that’s where I want to end up,” Crow-Armstrong said regarding the leadoff spot. “But that’s (Ian Happ’s) job, and he does it exceptionally well. I don’t actively want to lead off. I want to keep doing what works…”

While Crow-Armstrong’s potential is evident, his current performance raises questions about his ability to get on base consistently. Last season, he posted a .670 OPS compared to Happ’s impressive .782. Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledged that at present, Crow-Armstrong is better known for his glove rather than his bat, which could change if he makes progress this season.

“I think I’ll get to the point in my career where the offense is expected of me,” Crow-Armstrong stated. “But until that’s a real thing, the goal is playing Gold Glove defense every day.”

Despite Crow-Armstrong’s talents, Counsell emphasized the need for patience with young players, including Crow-Armstrong and rookie Matt Shaw, who is beginning to adjust to the major leagues.

“We’ve seen it with Matt (Shaw) already. The league is going to challenge you at times… It’s the best league in the world, and there is an adjustment to it,” Counsell noted.

On Opening Day, Counsell is making notable adjustments to the lineup as the Cubs look for their first victory after being swept by the San Francisco Giants in the Tokyo Series. With Nico Hoerner returning from injury, the Cubs’ batting order will feature Happ, Kyle Tucker, and Seiya Suzuki at the top.

The Cubs’ lineup is set to be: Ian Happ (LF), Kyle Tucker (RF), Seiya Suzuki (DH), Michael Busch (1B), Dansby Swanson (SS), Nico Hoerner (2B), Pete Crow-Armstrong (SS), Matt Shaw (3B), and Miguel Amaya (C) with Justin Steele as the starting pitcher.

Happ’s move into the leadoff role marks a strategic shift as the Cubs adapt to modern baseball trends which favor offense-oriented batters over traditional speedsters. His ability to draw walks significantly outpaces Hoerner’s, creating a more dynamic upper order.

Dansby Swanson, who has struggled with consistency, is being moved down in the lineup to the fifth spot, a position featuring Shaw for the first few games. Swanson, who has a .701 OPS and 16 home runs last season, is expected to elevate his performance as a crucial component of the batting order.

As the Cubs prepare to face off against hard-throwing right-hander Zac Gallen, the focus remains on finding offensive power to boost their playoff ambitions. With Crow-Armstrong making his mark defensively, the Cubs hope he can soon contribute offensively to secure a balanced and competitive lineup.