A Chicago Cubs standout has emerged as a potential challenger to Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani in the National League Most Valuable Player race this season.
Ohtani, a four-time MVP winner, faces questions about his two-way contributions after limited activity on the mound. He previously claimed American League honors twice with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 and 2023 before moving to the Dodgers.
Following that transition ahead of the 2024 campaign, Ohtani secured consecutive National League MVP trophies in 2024 and 2025. He sat out pitching duties entirely during his debut Dodgers year yet made history as the first major leaguer to post 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in one season.
This year, Ohtani sits eighth in the National League with 22 home runs and has swiped just six bases over 101 contests. He has remained off the pitching mound since July 3 without a clear timeline for his return.
Those circumstances have created an opening for another player to claim the league’s top individual honor.
MLB Network analyst Sean Casey pointed to Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong as a strong candidate to unseat the two-way star.
“This guy is electric. Every night when you see the Cubs, he’s doing something to make them win ball games,” Casey said.
“He’s a difference-maker defensively, which Shohei isn’t. If Shohei doesn’t pitch again, I could see PCA getting the MVP.”
Crow-Armstrong has expressed his own desire to claim the award while recognizing the steep challenge posed by Ohtani’s unique skill set.
“I would love to dethrone him,” Crow-Armstrong said earlier this month, “but I don’t know how you do it unless I go to a pitching lab in the offseason. I’ll go be a closer or something and see how that helps my odds.”
“But, nah, that guy’s a freak. So maybe once he stops being a little freaky [I can win],” Crow-Armstrong added.
The Cubs outfielder earned his second National League All-Star nod this year. He has posted a .288 batting average, .388 on-base percentage and .540 slugging mark for a .928 OPS, along with 23 home runs in 106 games.
His blend of offensive production and elite defense has drawn notice across the league as teams battle through the second half of the schedule.
Ohtani’s established track record still makes him the frontrunner in many eyes, yet the current statistical picture and pitching uncertainty leave room for debate.
Crow-Armstrong’s consistent impact for a competitive Cubs club has positioned him as one of the more intriguing names in the conversation.
Whether the young center fielder can maintain his pace remains a key storyline as the season progresses toward its stretch run.
