Pete Crow-Armstrong Unanimously Wins 2026 NL MVP, Ending Shohei Ohtani’s Three-Year Streak

Key points

• Crow-Armstrong received all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, making him the first unanimous NL MVP winner in a decade.
• He led the majors with 45 home runs, 119 runs, and 84 extra-base hits, while also stealing 41 bases to join the 40-40 club, a feat achieved by only six other players in MLB history.
• Defensively, he won his second consecutive Gold Glove and the NL Platinum Glove, leading the majors with 25 Outs Above Average and 16 Defensive Runs Saved in nearly 1,400 innings at center field.
• Shohei Ohtani finished second with 26 first-place votes, his sixth consecutive top-two finish, but his offensive production declined significantly after July due to a left knee injury and a right biceps issue.
• Brice Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers placed third, earning his highest MVP finish ever after a career-best season with 21 home runs and 100 RBIs, while Yordan Alvarez won the AL MVP unanimously with a .316 average and 42 home runs.

Background

Crow-Armstrong had previously finished ninth in MVP voting in 2025 after a strong first half but a significant drop-off in performance late in the season. In 2026, he improved his approach at the plate, reducing his chase rate by seven percentage points and more than doubling his walk rate to 11.4%. He signed a $115 million, six-year contract extension with the Cubs in March 2026, locking him up before this historic season. The award marks the 12th MVP win in Cubs franchise history, with the last prior winner being Kris Bryant in 2016.

How outlets are covering it

MLB Trade Rumors emphasized Crow-Armstrong’s dominance across all metrics, noting his 10.6 fWAR and 9.8 WAR as the highest in baseball, and highlighted his maturity at the plate compared to 2025. NBC Sports focused on the historical significance of the unanimous vote and the contrast with Ohtani’s injury-plagued second half, while also detailing Alvarez’s AL MVP performance. CBS Sports noted the initial surprise of the outcome, as Ohtani was the overwhelming favorite through the All-Star break, and highlighted Turang’s underrated status despite not making the All-Star Game. All sources agreed on the statistical dominance of Crow-Armstrong but differed in emphasis on the narrative of Ohtani’s decline versus Crow-Armstrong’s rise.

Why it matters

The unanimous MVP award underscores a shift in the competitive landscape of the National League, with Crow-Armstrong emerging as the premier all-around player in baseball. His ability to combine elite power, speed, and defense sets a new standard for position players, while the unanimous votes for both league MVPs and Cy Young winners mark a historic first in MLB awards history. The result also highlights the impact of injuries on star players like Ohtani, whose two-way role was compromised by physical issues, allowing younger talents to seize the spotlight.

What to watch

Crow-Armstrong’s performance will likely influence future contract negotiations and trade discussions, as his $115 million extension was signed before this season. The Cubs may face scrutiny regarding their postseason performance, as some fans have criticized Crow-Armstrong’s historical playoff stats, though the MVP award is based solely on regular season play. Ohtani’s recovery from his injuries will be a key focus for the Dodgers as they look to rebuild their two-way star for the 2027 season. Turang’s strong finish may also impact his market value as a free agent or in trade discussions for the Brewers.