Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Jeff Brantley recently uncovered what could be Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong’s most significant vulnerability during a game at Wrigley Field. This insight came during the Reds’ series opener against the Cubs, a moment when Brantley joined television announcer John Sadak and detailed how pitchers could successfully challenge Crow-Armstrong’s batting style.
In the second inning, Crow-Armstrong displayed aggressive hitting against Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott, facing a sequence of pitches that targeted the inside part of the strike zone. Abbott threw two close breaking balls inside, both inducing fouls from Crow-Armstrong. When Abbott followed with a pitch low and outside, Crow-Armstrong swung and missed, striking out.
During this sequence, Brantley compared Crow-Armstrong to former major leaguer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., pointing out how Crow-Armstrong often swings at pitches at shoe-top height, sometimes connecting but often compromising his stance. Brantley then offered tactical advice to Cincinnati’s pitchers on exploiting this habit.
You throw it where he can’t reach it. And that’s exactly where this pitch is,
Brantley said.
After all those inside pitches, you can see those hips open early, that ball bounced a good foot in front of home plate. When you have an aggressive hitter, especially a young aggressive hitter that’s going good, he does not want to walk.He doesn’t want anything to do with a walk. He wants to hit it out and have everybody stand up. So use that to your advantage.
—Jeff Brantley, Reds Broadcaster
Analyzing Crow-Armstrong’s Plate Discipline Through Data Insights
Brantley’s comments are supported by statistical evidence from Baseball Savant, where Crow-Armstrong ranks near the bottom in chase rate, swinging at 44.0% of pitches outside the strike zone. This means he frequently chases pitches that are difficult to hit, ranking just ahead of Chicago White Sox infielder Lenyn Sosa, who has an even higher chase rate of 47.9%.
The practical takeaway for opposing pitchers is to avoid giving Crow-Armstrong easily hittable strikes, especially fastballs over the heart of the plate. Instead, pitchers should rely heavily on off-speed pitches and breaking balls located just outside the reach of Crow-Armstrong’s swing. This approach could limit his ability to make solid contact and reduce his offensive impact during the series.
Potential Impact of This Strategy on the Cubs-Reds Series
Understanding and exploiting Crow-Armstrong’s tendency to aggressively swing at off-target pitches could be crucial for the Reds as they look to contain the promising Cubs outfielder. By forcing him to chase difficult pitches, Cincinnati’s pitching staff might minimize his chances of producing big hits and maintain control of the game tempo.
With Jeff Brantley’s scouting insight highlighted during live broadcasts, the Reds have a clearer strategy to neutralize one of Chicago’s rising stars. The effectiveness of this plan will likely become a talking point as the series unfolds at Wrigley Field, with Crow-Armstrong’s performance under closer scrutiny following this revelation.