Why isn't Crow-Armstrong bunting all the time?

[CubFaninPA]

Bunts put pressure on the defense. Strike outs, weak ground balls, and lazy flies don't. With his speed, he could get on base some of the time and some of those times errant throws could land him on second or third base. With practice, he could get good at it. He can't steal second if he doesn't get on base.

[Derwood]

Bunts lick butts

[Geographyhater8888]

He’d be out by a couple steps by throwing his bat in frustration after making weak contact. 

Edited September 1, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[Rcal10]

2 hours ago, CubFaninPA said:

Bunts put pressure on the defense. Strike outs, weak ground balls, and lazy flies don't. With his speed, he could get on base some of the time and some of those times errant throws could land him on second or third base. With practice, he could get good at it. He can't steal second if he doesn't get on base.

We doesn’t appear to be too good at bunting for a hit. I am not sure he would bunt at a high rate if getting on base any more than he does swinging away. He can definitely try more often. Might being corners in a little which could result in a ball going through the infield because guys are playing in. And maybe he even gets a good one down. But he definitely shouldn’t do it too often.

[Backtobanks]

1 hour ago, Rcal10 said:

We doesn’t appear to be too good at bunting for a hit. I am not sure he would bunt at a high rate if getting on base any more than he does swinging away. He can definitely try more often. Might being corners in a little which could result in a ball going through the infield because guys are playing in. And maybe he even gets a good one down. But he definitely shouldn’t do it too often.

HR hitters make more money.

[chopsx9]

40 minutes ago, Backtobanks said:

HR hitters make more money.

Former MLBers selling Fords on the outskirts of town make even less.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

[Hot Sauce]

2 hours ago, Backtobanks said:

HR hitters make more money.

Yea, but he needs 763 HR to become the all-time leader. He only needs 189 bunt singles to become the greatest bunter of all-time.
 

[NorthsideAvenger]

I love bunts. Yes, I do want PCA to bunt more and use his speed. 

Edited September 1, 2025 by NorthsideAvenger

[CubFaninPA]

He only needs 188 now. I missed seeing it happen but saw it on on a replay. Bunting with two strikes is gutsy, less so when the likely alternative is striking out. He should do this more, especially when they're giving him everything along the third base line. 

[imb]

he should also probably be sliding into first base (it's faster)

[Derwood]

If I as an opposing team I would be doing backflips if he was laying down bunts every at-bat

[BigSlick]

On 9/1/2025 at 12:01 PM, Backtobanks said:

HR hitters make more money.

they're paid more because its insanely more valuable

[muntjack]

Yeah, the guy hit 25 HRs in the 1st half.  I understand why he's reticent to bunt.

[Backtobanks]

On 9/1/2025 at 2:40 PM, NorthsideAvenger said:

I love bunts. Yes, I do want PCA to bunt more and use his speed. 

I do think that if he became more proficient at it, he might reduce his Ks and increase is OBP and BA.  With his speed, a bunt single very well end up with him at 2B.  I know everybody loves the HR hitter, but he may be more valuable batting .280 with OBP of .330 with 25 HRs.