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.