Cubs Star Crow-Armstrong Concerned Over Bat Speed Surge

Early-season data suggests mechanical issues could impact performance

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:38am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball player's batting motion, with the player's form broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the raw athleticism and energy of the sport.An abstract, deconstructed view of a baseball player's swing captures the explosive power and energy of the game.Chicago Today

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has seen a significant increase in his bat speed this season, jumping to 73.8 mph compared to his 2025 average. However, Crow-Armstrong views this as a negative development, believing it's a result of bad habits and mechanical issues that have led to a higher groundball rate. The young star is studying his swing closely and working with hitting coach Dustin Kelly to address the problem, which appears to be more mental than physical.

Why it matters

Crow-Armstrong is a rising star for the Cubs, so any potential issues with his swing mechanics and approach could have a big impact on the team's performance this season. The organization and fans will be closely watching to see if he can get back on track and unlock his full potential.

The details

Crow-Armstrong's bat speed has increased by a full tick above his 2025 average, which he sees as a negative development. He's been late on his swings, leading to a higher groundball rate of 43.8%. The root of the problem seems to be mental, as Crow-Armstrong mentions feeling late and trying to create more space, which is affecting his swing timing. Last season, he had a high pull rate, suggesting his current issues may be related to his approach when he's not on time.

  • Crow-Armstrong's bat speed has jumped to 73.8 mph in 2026, up from his 2025 average.

The players

Pete Crow-Armstrong

A rising star outfielder for the Chicago Cubs who is concerned about a recent surge in his bat speed, which he believes is a result of mechanical issues and bad habits.

Dustin Kelly

The hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs, who believes Crow-Armstrong's increased bat speed is due to his freshness and aggression early in the year, but shares the player's concern that it might not lead to better outcomes.

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What they’re saying

“My bat speed is up, but that's actually a bad sign for me. I've been late on my swings, and that's leading to a higher groundball rate.”

— Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs Outfielder

“The increased bat speed is likely due to his freshness and aggression early in the year. However, we share the concern that it might not lead to better outcomes.”

— Dustin Kelly, Chicago Cubs Hitting Coach

What’s next

Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs' coaching staff will continue to closely monitor his swing mechanics and approach, making adjustments as needed to help the young star regain his timing and consistency at the plate.

The takeaway

Crow-Armstrong's bat speed surge is a double-edged sword, highlighting the importance of mental focus and trust in one's mechanics for elite hitters. By addressing the root causes of his issues, he has the opportunity to unlock his full potential and become an even more dominant force for the Cubs.