CHICAGO — The last Home Run Derby at Wrigley Field, in 1990, was a disaster. Ryne Sandberg won with just three homers in the final round. The event was so punchless it became a league-wide joke. In 2027, the derby returns to the iconic ballpark. Pete Crow-Armstrong plans to erase that memory.
The Chicago Cubs center fielder is no longer just a glove. He is a power hitter. The transformation from Gold Glove specialist to legitimate slugger is rewriting Cubs history. Crow-Armstrong is considering participation in the 2027 Home Run Derby at Wrigley Field, according to the Chicago Tribune. “It would mean everything,” he said. “To do it at home, in front of our fans, after what happened last time? That’s the goal.”
From Glove to Glory: The Power Surge
Scouting reports from 2023 questioned Crow-Armstrong’s bat. He hit .247 with 10 homers in his rookie season. The doubters were loud. By 2026, they were silent. He slugged .512 with 38 home runs. His exit velocity jumped to 94.3 mph, ranking in the top 10% of MLB. The shift in mechanics was deliberate. He lowered his hands, increased his launch angle, and added muscle.
The 2027 season is his peak. Through July, Crow-Armstrong leads the National League in home runs with 31. His OPS stands at .985. The numbers are not a fluke. They are the result of a three-year overhaul of his swing and approach. He now sells out for power without sacrificing contact. His strikeout rate is down to 18.2%.
The 2026 All-Star Prelude
The 2026 MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia was a preview. Four former Cubs — Kyle Schwarber, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, and Kris Bryant — joined Crow-Armstrong on the National League roster. The moment was symbolic. He was the new generation. The veteran ex-Cubs represented a past era of championship contention. Crow-Armstrong went 1-for-2 with a solo home run off Corbin Burnes. The homer traveled 427 feet. It was a statement.
That experience fueled his ambition. “Sharing the field with those guys was surreal,” he said. “But I want to do more. I want to bring the derby back to Chicago and make it legendary.”
Rewriting Wrigley’s Derby Legacy
The 1990 derby is a scar on Wrigley Field’s history. Sandberg’s winning total of three homers is the lowest in MLB All-Star Game history. The event was moved away from Wrigley for 37 years. The return in 2027 is a chance for redemption. Crow-Armstrong is the perfect candidate. His average home run distance in 2027 is 409 feet. He has 15 homers over 420 feet. The power is real.
Logistical factors favor a high-scoring derby. Wrigley Field’s wind patterns in July often blow out. The bleachers will be packed. The energy will be electric. Crow-Armstrong plans to use a modified swing for the event, focusing on uppercut trajectories. He has practiced with Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly on derby-specific drills.
The Cubs’ New Era
Crow-Armstrong is the face of a resurgent franchise. The Cubs are 58-38 at the All-Star break in 2027, leading the NL Central. His rise mirrors the team’s trajectory. He is the first homegrown Cubs outfielder to hit 30 homers in a season since Sammy Sosa in 2003. The comparison to Sandberg is intentional. Both started as defensive standouts. Both transformed into power threats. Sandberg won the 1990 derby. Crow-Armstrong aims to win the 2027 version.
The 2026 All-Star cameo with four former Cubs underscored the transition. Those players were traded or left in free agency. Crow-Armstrong stayed. He signed a seven-year, $145 million extension in April 2027. The contract includes a no-trade clause. He is the cornerstone.
2027 Derby: More Than a Contest
The event is a coronation. Crow-Armstrong will step into the batter’s box at Wrigley Field, the same stadium where Sandberg’s three-homer debacle occurred. He will face pitchers throwing meatballs. He will swing for the fences. The crowd will roar. If he wins, he will be the first Cub to win the Home Run Derby at Wrigley Field. The irony is obvious. The defensive wizard who couldn’t hit is now the most feared slugger in the game.
Fans who doubted his bat should look at the numbers. The table below shows his progression:
| Season | Home Runs | OPS | Exit Velocity (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | .685 | 89.2 |
| 2025 | 22 | .812 | 91.8 |
| 2026 | 38 | .912 | 94.3 |
| 2027 (pre-ASB) | 31 | .985 | 95.1 |
The 2027 Home Run Derby will be a historic reckoning. It will erase the memory of 1990. It will confirm Pete Crow-Armstrong’s place in Cubs lore. The Gold Glove is a footnote. The power is the headline.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why is Pete Crow-Armstrong considering the 2027 Home Run Derby?
- A: He wants to redeem Wrigley Field’s 1990 derby (won with only 3 homers) and showcase his transformation from a Gold Glove defender to a top power hitter, now leading the NL in home runs.
- Q: How did Crow-Armstrong become a power hitter?
- A: He overhauled his swing mechanics: lowering his hands, increasing launch angle, and adding muscle. His exit velocity jumped to 94.3 mph, and he hit 38 homers in 2026 with a .512 slugging percentage.
- Q: What are Crow-Armstrong’s stats in 2027?
- A: As of July, he leads the National League with 31 home runs, an OPS of .985, and a reduced strikeout rate of 18.2%, proving his power surge is sustainable.
Extended Reading
Chicago Sun-Times: Next All-Star stop: Wrigley Field, where the last Home Run Derby was so punchless it’s truly crazy (July 14, 2026). Chicago Tribune: Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong ponders 2027 Home Run Derby (July 14, 2026). Cubbies Crib: 4 former Cubs join Pete Crow-Armstrong center stage during 2026 MLB All-Star Game (July 14, 2026).