Cubs top Brewers 5-3 on July 17, 2025, powered by Seiya Suzuki's homer and Pete Crow-Armstrong's heroics. See how the win and a key draft pick shape their future.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was one of those perfect Thursday nights at Wrigley Field where the present and future of the Chicago Cubs collided in spectacular fashion. On the field, the team secured a crucial 5-3 win over the division-rival Brewers, fueled by late-game heroics. Off the field, the front office made a significant investment in the years to come, solidifying a bright outlook from every angle.
Despite trading a top prospect for Kyle Tucker, the Cubs still boast seven players in MLB's Top 100 prospects, tied for the most in baseball.
The game itself was a classic NL Central grind. Trailing 2-1 in the 5th, Seiya Suzuki stepped up and changed the entire complexion of the night with a towering three-run homer that sent the Wrigley faithful into a frenzy. The lead was secured by the breathtaking talent of Pete Crow-Armstrong, who first made a spectacular diving catch in the 8th to rob the Brewers of a rally, then promptly launched his 19th home run of the season for a crucial insurance run. It was a masterclass in two-way impact. Ben Brown battled through 5 innings, and trade acquisition Kyle Tucker continued to pay dividends with three hits, proving the team's win-now moves are firing on all cylinders.
As the drama unfolded on the North Side, the Cubs' front office was busy securing the future. With the 17th overall pick in the MLB Draft, they selected Wake Forest outfielder Ethan Conrad. A left-handed hitter with a sweet swing, Conrad was tearing up college baseball—slashing .372/.495/.744—before a shoulder injury ended his season. The Cubs are betting on the talent, and Conrad himself was ecstatic, calling the selection 'an unreal experience.' It's a move that signals confidence in their player development and a belief that they've landed a potential star.
The selection of Conrad underscores a larger point: the Cubs' player pipeline is thriving. Even after sending top prospect Cam Smith to Houston in the deal for Kyle Tucker, the organization remains a powerhouse of young talent. With seven players ranked in MLB's Top 100, the Cubs are tied for the most in all of baseball. As farm director Jason Kanzler noted, the depth in Double-A and Triple-A gives the team incredible flexibility to either call up reinforcements or swing another deal before the trade deadline. It's the perfect position to be in for a contending team.
This was a day that should have every Cubs fan buzzing. A gutsy, character-building win against a division rival keeps them in the driver's seat, while the addition of a top draft pick and the continued strength of the farm system prove this success is built to last. With the Brewers still in town and the trade deadline approaching, the Cubs are firing on all cylinders, proving they have the talent for today and the assets for a dominant tomorrow.
