Pete Crow-Armstrong Wins National League MVP

Pete Crow-Armstrong won the National League Most Valuable Player award for the 2026 season, becoming the first Chicago Cubs player to receive it since Kris Bryant in 2016. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced the result on November 12, 2026. Ohtani finished second and Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang placed third.

The 24-year-old Crow-Armstrong played all 162 games, batting .280 with 45 home runs, 107 runs batted in and 41 stolen bases. He also scored 119 runs and recorded a .372 on-base percentage and 9.8 wins above replacement. He led the majors in home runs, runs, total bases and WAR, and led the National League in slugging percentage and OPS-plus. His season included the seventh 40-home-run, 40-steal campaign in major league history, along with elite defense that earned him a Platinum Glove.

Ohtani, a four-time MVP, hit 30 home runs and stole 11 bases. As a pitcher, he went 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 85⅔ innings. Injuries limited his season, while Crow-Armstrong’s exceptional performance shifted the award race after Ohtani had entered the year as the favorite.

Crow-Armstrong’s progress at the plate was a major part of his breakthrough. After struggling late in 2025, he improved his patience and raised his on-base percentage from .287 to .372. Teammates praised his combination of hitting, speed and defense. The Cubs exited the postseason quickly, but that did not diminish his regular-season achievement. The Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez won the American League MVP award.