Crow-Armstrong Wins NL MVP Over Ohtani
The Cubs center fielder claimed the National League's top individual honor after a 45-homer season, ending Shohei Ohtani's two-year run.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Baseball
Pete Crow-Armstrong was named National League Most Valuable Player, ending the two-year reign of Shohei Ohtani. The Chicago Cubs outfielder hit 45 home runs, stole 41 bases, drove in 107 runs and batted .280 in the 2026 season.
Why it matters
Crow-Armstrong's award makes him the first Southern California product to win NL MVP since Christian Yelich in 2017. It also marks a power breakout for a leadoff hitter, a profile that rarely produces top-tier home run totals.
Crow-Armstrong finished 2026 with 45 home runs, 41 stolen bases, 107 RBIs and a .280 batting average. The extraction does not provide comparison figures against league averages or his prior-season totals.
The players
Pete Crow-Armstrong
Crow-Armstrong is a center fielder for the Chicago Cubs who came up through Harvard-Westlake High School in Los Angeles.
Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani is a two-way Japanese superstar who had won consecutive National League MVP awards before Crow-Armstrong's win.
The details
Crow-Armstrong, 24, was taken in the first round by the New York Mets in 2020 and traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2021. His power surge came while he hit as the Cubs' leadoff hitter, and he won the award through the NL MVP announcement.
Timeline
2020: Crow-Armstrong was drafted in the first round by the New York Mets.
2021: Crow-Armstrong was traded to the Chicago Cubs.
2026 season: Crow-Armstrong hit 45 home runs and won NL MVP.
November 12, 2026: The NL MVP award was announced.
Season Trajectory
Crow-Armstrong's award is the first Southern California NL MVP since Christian Yelich's 2017 win. It also ends Shohei Ohtani's two-year run atop the category, reshaping the league's individual honors picture.
Crow-Armstrong's 45 home runs and 41 stolen bases make him a high-value fantasy pick for 2027 drafts. The award also raises his trade value and profile for Cubs ticket buyers.
The takeaway
A player who wins the MVP after a power and speed season can reshape a team's lineup strategy. Fantasy managers and fans should track whether a leadoff hitter's power output holds up in the next season.
Further reading
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