Chicago Cubs’ Dazzling Pete Crow-Armstrong Strengthens MVP Case

Aug 19, 2026 01:00 PM - 3 hours ago 3
Chicago Cubs v. Washington Nationals

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 11: Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs looks connected anterior to the crippled betwixt the Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals astatine Nationals Park connected Tuesday, August 11, 2026 successful Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alyssa McDaniel/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

MLB Photos via Getty Images

Chicago Cubs centerfielder, Pete Crow-Armstrong, is simply a morganatic contender for the National League 2026 Most Valuable Player.

It appears Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher/designated hitter, Shohei Ohtani provides the only existent threat to Crow-Armstrong for the award.

One caller crippled offered a glimpse of the worth of the 24-year-old, left-handed hitter, commonly called PCA.

In the Chicago Cross-Town Classic crippled betwixt the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox played astatine the Cubs Wrigley Field August 17, PCA was the prima of the Cubs 7-5 victory.

PCA led disconnected the crippled pinch a location run. Then, he homered again successful the bottommost of the 10th inning to triumph the extra-inning crippled for the Cubs.

sports.yahoo.com indicates Pete Crow-Armstrong is 1 of six awesome convention players to deed a leadoff, and walk-off location run.

In that August 17 game, PCA went 4-for-5, pinch 2 homers, a double, a single, and 3 RBIs. He scored 2 runs.

The move Cubs centerfielder near the 2nd crippled of the 3 crippled White Sox bid hitting .282/.381/.555/.936. 25 doubles, 7 triples, 31 location runs, 79 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases, successful 38 attempts covering 483 at-bats.

Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong reacts during the sixth inning of a shot crippled against the Chicago White Sox successful Chicago, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All authorities reserved

About Chicago Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong:

The New York Mets drafted PCA successful the 1st information of the 2020 Major League Baseball draught retired of Harvard-Westlake High School, successful Los Angeles, California.

The No.19 subordinate taken successful that draft, the Mets gave Pete Crow-Armstrong a $3,359,000 signing bonus.

Ironically, the Cubs were looking to draught Crow-Armstrong, but switched alternatively to shortstop, Ed Howard.

By the commencement of the 2021 season, PCA was considered a Grade 55 subordinate by Baseball America. A Grade 55 subordinate is simply a amended than awesome convention mean subordinate pinch astatine slightest one, and perchance 2 outstanding tools.

Crow- Armstrong had already exhibited a mature hitting attack for a precocious schoolhouse player.

PCA was 6-0, 184 pounds erstwhile he was drafted. And now, successful 2026, he carries the aforesaid tallness and weight.

PCA was viewed arsenic making accordant contact, pinch a mature knowing of bully hitting mechanics.

On July 30, 2021, the Mets traded PCA to the Cubs for infielder Javier Baez, and pitcher Trevor Williams.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 1: Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates scoring during the first inning against the New York Yankees astatine Wrigley Field connected August 1, 2026 successful Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

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Pete Crow-Armstrong is only successful his 4th afloat play of Major League Baseball, each pinch the Cubs.

Pete-Crow Armstrong is 1 of the astir breathtaking young MLB players.

PCA has been an All Star twice, successful 2025, and again this season.

In his 2025 season, Crow-Armstrong deed .247/.287/.481/.768, pinch 37 doubles, 4 triples, 31 homers, 95 RBIs, and 35 stolen bases, successful 43 attempts.

baseballreference.com notes he had a WAR of 5.9

They besides authorities he presently has improved that WAR, to 7.7

A Bit Of A Dustup For Chicago Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong In Los Angeles:

All has not been beverage and chromatic for PCA.

During the Cubs caller travel to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers, PCA and the Dodgers fans had a spot of a kerfuffle.

PCA had this to opportunity astir Dodgers fans, arsenic reported by dodgers nation.com:

“I emotion Chicago much and more. It’s conscionable an unthinkable city. The group are great.” He told Wayne Drehs of Chicago Magazine. “…They aren’t conscionable shot fans who spell to the crippled for illustration Dodgers fans to return pictures aliases whatever. They are paying attention. They care.”

When offered the opportunity to retract his statements, PCA stood declined.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 11: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts aft a crushed retired against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning astatine Dodger Stadium connected August 11, 2026 successful Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

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Shohei Ohtani is Crow-Armstrong’s top title for the National League MVP Award.

cbssports.com states, “Ohtani’s position arsenic a two-way subordinate is cardinal to the statement that he’s the astir valuable subordinate successful baseball.”

Ohtani will apt return to the mound aft ramping up his throwing program.

On August 17, the aforesaid time Crow-Armstrong deed 2 homers for the Cubs, Ohtani deed 2 location runs for the Dodgers, successful their 11-5 triumph complete the Colorado Rockies astatine Coors Field.

Baseball fans whitethorn want to spot a caller look arsenic the National League MVP.

When it comes down to it, location whitethorn beryllium immoderate sentiment among voters to sanction Chicago Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong the National League Most Valuable Player Award.

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