Why Cubs Star Pete Crow-Armstrong, Not Shohei Ohtani, Should Be 2026 NL MVP

The National League MVP Award was recently renamed the “Shohei Ohtani Award.” Okay, not really, but it feels that way with Ohtani winning unanimous NL MVP honors in each of his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-25) – the third and fourth MVPs of his career.

On that note, has a force emerged that will take away the NL MVP from Ohtani?

Danny Parkins thinks that player is Chicago Cubs star center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.

“If the [NL MVP] voting were held today, my vote would go to PCA,” Parkins said on Wednesday’s edition of “First Things First.” “Ohtani is the best player in baseball. He’s a two-way superstar. The problem for his MVP case this year is he hasn’t pitched since July 3. Now, if he returns to the mound soon, pitches effectively and helps the Dodgers secure the top seed in the National League, I reserve the right to change my mind. But, right now, look at the offense: PCA and Ohtani are having remarkably similar seasons.”

Through 121 games (538 plate appearances), Crow-Armstrong has totaled 27 home runs, 73 RBIs, 30 stolen bases, a 156 OPS+ and an MLB-high 7.5 wins above replacement, while sporting a .284/.384/.544 slash line. On the power front, Crow-Armstrong boasts a career-high in average exit velocity (90.2 mph) and hard-hit percentage (48.6%), according to Statcast.

Crow-Armstrong, an All-Star in each of the last two seasons and a 2025 Gold Glover winner, has posted 14 defensive runs saved in center field this season. Last year, he finished ninth in NL MVP voting after recording 31 home runs, 95 RBIs, 35 stolen bases, 5.9 wins above replacement and 15 defensive runs saved in center.

Through 111 games and 509 plate appearances, Ohtani has totaled 27 home runs, 74 RBIs, an NL-high 157 OPS+ and 3.4 wins above replacement, while owning a .292/.393/.544 slash line. Ohtani ranks in the 97th percentile of MLB in average exit velocity (93.4 mph) and the 96th percentile in barrel percentage (16.6%) and hard-hit percentage (52.2%), per Statcast.

Meanwhile, as a member of the Dodgers’ starting rotation, the two-way superstar has posted a 1.79 ERA, an 0.95 WHIP, 95 strikeouts, a 231 ERA+ and 3.0 wins above replacement over 85 ⅔ innings pitched across 14 starts. Granted, he hasn’t pitched in six weeks due to a knee injury.

As for their standing in the NL, Crow-Armstrong is tied for second in runs scored (86), OPS (.928) and triples (seven), is third outright in on-base percentage (.384), seventh in hits (130) and tied for 11th in RBIs. Ohtani is first in OPS (.937), tied for first in on-base percentage (.393), tied for sixth in runs scored (77), tied for eighth in RBIs and tied for 12th in hits (125); Crow-Armstrong and Ohtani are each tied for second in slugging percentage (.544) and sixth in home runs.

“If the offensive production is essentially a wash, that’s where PCA starts to separate himself [from Ohtani]. Defense? Well, PCA is the best defensive center fielder in the game, and he leads all of baseball in wins above replacement,” Parkins said. “On the bases, it’s not even close. Ohtani is only two years removed from stealing 59 bags, but he has seven this year to PCA’s 30. So, let’s add it up: similar offense, Ohtani’s pitching has stopped, and PCA has the clear edge on defense and the bases.

“And then I’ll turn to the “V” in “MVP”: value. PCA has helped carry the Cubs through a season in which over a dozen pitchers have spent time on the injured list. Meanwhile, Ohtani is playing on a superteam with a payroll that exceeds Chicago’s by over $170 million. All that extra help, and the Cubs just swept the Dodgers last week. They have just two fewer wins than L.A. on the season.”

The Cubs are the No. 1 NL wild-card seed at 71-50, while the defending, back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers stand atop the NL West at 73-48.