Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong sets MLB record with 3.96 MPH bat speed increase

The young outfielder's swing improvements could lead to even more power this season.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:36pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball player's swing broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and form, capturing the raw power and kinetic energy of the batter's motion.Crow-Armstrong's swing mechanics have been deconstructed into a Cubist masterpiece, reflecting the young slugger's rapid bat speed improvements.Chicago Today

Chicago Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has increased his bat speed by an MLB-leading 3.96 miles per hour compared to last season, according to new data. The 22-year-old's swing improvements could translate to even more power production after his breakout 30-30 campaign in 2025.

Why it matters

Bat speed is a key metric for evaluating a hitter's potential, as it correlates with power output. Crow-Armstrong's dramatic improvement in this area this early in his career is an extremely positive sign for the Cubs, who are hoping the young outfielder can build on his impressive debut season.

The details

Last year, Crow-Armstrong's bat was clocked at 72.25 miles per hour. So far in 2026, that number has jumped to 76.21 mph - a 3.96 mph increase, the largest such improvement in Major League Baseball. This kind of swing speed boost often leads to sustained gains in power production as the season progresses.

  • In the 2025 season, Crow-Armstrong's bat speed was 72.25 mph.
  • Through the first 2-3 games of the 2026 season, Crow-Armstrong's bat speed has increased to 76.21 mph.

The players

Pete Crow-Armstrong

A 22-year-old centerfielder for the Chicago Cubs who is in his second full MLB season.

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What they’re saying

“Bat speed isn't everything, but it does matter. Some of the league's top contact hitters (Luis Arraez, Steven Kwan) have some of the slowest bat speeds. Some of the top power hitters (Giancarlo Stanton, Junior Caminero) lead in bat speed.”

— Jon Anderson, Baseball Analyst

What’s next

If Crow-Armstrong can maintain this improved bat speed throughout the 2026 season, it could lead to a significant power surge and continued development as one of the game's rising young stars.

The takeaway

Crow-Armstrong's dramatic bat speed increase is an extremely promising sign for the Cubs, as it suggests the young outfielder has made tangible improvements to his swing mechanics that could unlock even more offensive potential in his second full MLB campaign.