Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong now has the hardware to back up his defensive ability. He won the first Gold Glove Award of his career Sunday, as Rawlings revealed the full slate of winners on ESPN’s selection show.
He was one of three Cubs who were awarded 2025 Gold Gloves, joining second baseman Nico Hoerner, who collected the second such award of his career, and left fielder Ian Happ, who secured his fourth.
“Having the defense recognized is important to me because of the story that, that tells,” Crow-Armstrong said. “It’s such an offensive game right now, and so centered around pitching and just nasty stuff. … I think the Gold Glove is just the best way to recognize the impact that defense has on games when, when it may go unnoticed, sometimes throughout the year.”
The Cubs had the most Gold Glove finalists in the National League, with six. In addition to Crow-Armstrong, Happ and Hoerner, pitcher Matthew Boyd, catcher Carson Kelly, and third baseman Matt Shaw were in the top three in their respective position groups.
Crow-Armstrong recorded the highest defensive WAR of any National League outfielder this season, according to FanGraphs. Crow-Armstrong also led NL outfielders in Statcast’s Fielding Run Value (21) and all outfielders in outs above average (24), according to Statcast. Showing off his range, Crow-Armstrong had the highest five-star catch percentage in the majors.
Even as Crow-Armstrong approached the All-Star Game this July, after his first career selection, he kept steering the focus to the defensive side of the game.
‘‘Feeling like I have a chance to go win a Gold Glove every year, I want to do that,’’ he told the Sun-Times then. ‘‘So I just love the idea that defense is equally important as offense in a lot of ways.’’
Crow-Armstrong’s offense, which showcased an unexpected power surge as he put himself in the early MVP conversation, dipped in the second half of the season. But his outfield play didn’t waver.
“What he does defensively, night in, night out, is unbelievable,” president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said in his end-of-season news conference. “I think he’s the best defensive player in baseball.”
A combination of fan votes and analytics (the SABR defensive index) will determine the Platinum Glove winner in each league, which will be unveiled Friday at the Rawlings Gold Glove Ceremony in New York.
Hoerner
Hoerner led major-league second basemen in defensive runs saved (17) and outs above average (14), according to FanGraphs.
He won his first Gold Glove in 2023 and then played with an injured forearm last season.
Working back from offseason surgery to repair his flexor tendon, Hoerner missed the Tokyo Series to start the year, but he was ready by domestic opening day.
“Going through the off season and the initial parts of rehab, it was really nailing second base first,” Hoerner said of his focus coming back from injury. “And then I’m really excited for this offseason to really get back to full, full strength.”
Happ
Happ, a former utility player and center fielder, has claimed the Gold Glove Award every year since switching to left field full time. He led NL left fielders in defensive runs saved (9) this season, according to FanGraphs.
“Last year felt like it was more arm-based,” said Happ, who was tied for the most outfield assists in the National League last year. “This year felt like I was back running balls down. And so being able to do both things was something that I’m proud of – not just relying on one or the other.”