If Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong puts the ball in play, opposing fielders must either get an out or make sure the ball gets back to the infield quickly. Otherwise, the speedy player could score.
That’s what happened in Friday’s 6-3 win over the Miami Marlins. Crow-Armstrong led off the third inning and launched a fastball into right field. Marlins right fielder Jesus Sanchez ran from the right-center field gap and tried to reach the ball, but didn’t catch it.
The ball bounced off the warning track, bounced off the wall and back into the field, rolling toward center field. And Crow-Armstrong took off as Sanchez threw the ball back to the infield.
By the time the cutoff man received the pitch, Crow-Armstrong was already nearing third base. And by the time a throw from short right field was made to home plate, the second-year major leaguer was already sliding toward a score. Catcher Nick Fortes had no chance to touch the ball. Crow-Armstrong hit an inside-the-park homer and circled the bases in 14 seconds.
According Sarah Langs of MLB.comCrow-Armstrong ran home in 14.08 seconds, to be exact. That’s the fastest time a runner has run the bases this season and the fastest time a Cubs player has run from home plate to home plate since Statcast began tracking player movements and skills in 2015.
Maybe Tyreek Hill should challenge Crow-Armstrong in a race instead of Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles. Or if there are millions of dollars at stake, the Cubs outfielder might consider proposing a competition with Lyles.
Incredibly, Crow-Armstrong’s run around the bases was The third fastest in the MLB Since Statcast began tracking such data, according to Langs, Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton rounded the bases in 13.85 seconds on Aug. 18, 2017. Buxton also surpassed Crow-Armstrong on Oct. 2, 2016, going from home to home in 14.05 seconds.
Organizing a race between multiple players around the bases would likely be a logistical nightmare. But wouldn’t it be fascinating to watch such a competition during MLB All-Star Weekend?