In his third full season in Major League Baseball, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has rapidly established himself as one of the game’s premier defensive players. His skillset and on-field performance have drawn high praise from former elite defender Kevin Kiermaier, who holds four Gold Glove Awards and a Platinum Glove Award from his 11 seasons in the majors.
Kiermaier, a longtime center fielder for the Tampa Bay Rays, first took notice of Crow-Armstrong while the latter was still in the minor leagues. But it was not until the Cubs faced Kiermaier’s Los Angeles Dodgers in September 2024 that Kiermaier witnessed Crow-Armstrong’s defense in live game action. He described the series as the most impressive defensive display he had ever seen from an outfielder.
Since then, Crow-Armstrong’s defensive prowess has only grown, culminating in his first Gold Glove Award in 2025 and setting expectations for continued recognition in 2026. Kiermaier called Crow-Armstrong “elite right now” and indicated that few, if any, outfielders match his current level of defensive excellence.
Advanced metrics support these observations. Crow-Armstrong currently leads all MLB outfielders in average jump above expected (+5.0 feet) and distance covered per play (39.8 feet). His ability to make difficult catches is also well-documented; on July 20, 2025, he surpassed Kiermaier to become the leader in five-star catches—plays with a catch probability between zero and 25 percent—tracked by Statcast since 2016. By early 2026, Crow-Armstrong had recorded 35 such catches over 1,123 innings, maintaining a 54.7 percent success rate on these challenging plays. Kiermaier, for comparison, had 32 five-star catches across more than twice as many innings, although his early career numbers from his first two seasons are not included in the Statcast data.
Throughout his career, Kiermaier has been known for his exceptional defensive standards and competitiveness. Reflecting on Crow-Armstrong’s accomplishments, he expressed admiration and some wistfulness, noting, “I saw what his innings were compared to mine and the catches, and he is amazing at covering ground... Cubs fans, Cubs pitchers, they’re spoiled.” He also highlighted Crow-Armstrong’s confidence and mindset, essential elements that contribute to elite defensive performance.
After retiring following the 2024 season, Kiermaier transitioned into coaching and consulting roles with the Toronto Blue Jays and later founded the 3-9 Effect, an organization aimed at improving outfield defense through specialized training. He hopes to leverage his experience to help develop the next generation of top defenders.
Though they have never met in person, Crow-Armstrong and Kiermaier have communicated via text messages, with Kiermaier sending words of encouragement and admiration. Crow-Armstrong’s skills and impact on the field have led some within the Cubs organization, including the team’s head groundskeeper Dan Kiermaier—Kevin’s brother—to draw comparisons between the two players.
As Crow-Armstrong continues to redefine defensive standards in center field, Kiermaier foresees a long and distinguished career for the young outfielder. “PCA is unreal, and he’s going to be elite for years to come,” Kiermaier said, anticipating that Crow-Armstrong’s achievements will only multiply in the seasons ahead.