Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong Not Interested in 2025 MLB Home Run Derby, 'Not For Me'

Chicago Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has taken the baseball world by storm this season, but don't expect him to bolster his star power on the national stage the Home Run Derby provides.

"No, that's not for me," he told reporters Tuesday when discussing the 2025 event. "That's a different kind of power. I don't know if I can withstand however long the timer is there. That would be a struggle."

That may be the way he feels, but he looked like someone who would star in such an environment during Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

First, he made an incredible diving catch to help preserve a one-run advantage in the top of the eighth inning. Then, he led off the bottom half of the frame with a monster home run that ricocheted off the right-field scoreboard.

Wrigley Field broke out into MVP chants, and the 23-year-old plans on continuing to focus on his impressive 2025 season instead of the Home Run Derby.

Still, he left the door open for the future when he added, "maybe when I'm older."

That Crow-Armstrong pointed out the Home Run Derby is a "different kind of power" is notable since he wasn't known as a slugger entering the season. Rather, the Cubs surely saw him as a five-tool star who could anchor their outfield for years to come even when he was just a prospect and not a prime contributor in the middle of their lineup.

But he is seventh in the league in home runs (19) behind headline names such as Cal Raleigh, Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Schwarber, Eugenio Suarez and Corbin Carroll. 

He is also slashing .270/.307/.550 with 58 RBI (tied for sixth in the league) and 23 stolen bases (third in the league) all while playing excellent defense in center field. It wouldn't be a surprise if he finished in the top 10 in home runs, RBI and stolen bases and wins a Gold Glove for his fielding.

Crow-Armstrong is a major reason the Cubs are in first place in the National League Central and seems on track to make the All-Star Game as one of the leading vote-getters in the outfield.

But those All-Star festivities won't include the Home Run Derby for the young star.