Shohei Ohtani is once again dominating headlines in Major League Baseball. The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ superstar continues to shine as both a pitcher and a hitter, making him the clear favorite for what could be his third consecutive National League MVP title.
But in a season full of surprises, the most serious challenge to Ohtani‘s crown might not come from another seasoned veteran – but from a 23-year-old rookie electrifying Wrigley Field.
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has burst onto the scene with a kind of energy and production rarely seen in a first-year player. Even while recovering from a shoulder injury, Cubs pitcher Justin Steele has taken notice – and he’s not keeping quiet about it.
After Chicago’s recent 8-3 win over the Nationals, Steele took to social media with a bold take.
“Season ends today, PCA is your MVP. Get over it.”
Coming from a teammate, that might sound like friendly support – but in this case, it’s a serious prediction.
A Rookie Season for the Ages
Crow-Armstrong‘s numbers back up the hype. In just 60 games, he’s slashing .281/.319/.562 with an OPS nearing .880. He’s launched 15 home runs, swiped 21 bases, and driven in 51 runs – good for third in the National League. More impressively, he recently became the fourth-fastest player in the modern era to reach the 15 HR/20 SB mark. Not bad for a player still technically learning the ropes at the major league level.
But PCA isn’t just a stats machine. He’s changing the way games unfold. In a recent matchup against Washington, his aggressive baserunning forced a rare pitchout with the bases loaded – a moment that demonstrated how much of a threat he is on the basepaths. His fielding hasn’t gone unnoticed either. With elite range and instincts in center field, Crow-Armstrong gives the Cubs a defensive anchor and a spark of energy game after game.
He’s also winning respect across the league. Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona, after facing PCA in a series Chicago won, offered glowing praise.
“He’s got a lot of weapons to beat you. You start to know that you belong – and not just belong – you kinda dominate.”
When an opposing manager speaks that highly of a rookie, people pay attention.
Perhaps the clearest sign of Crow-Armstrong’s rising stardom? He reportedly turned down a long-term extension from the Cubs worth around $75 million earlier this summer. With industry insiders now suggesting he could command a nine-figure deal, that decision is looking smarter by the day.
Of course, unseating Shohei Ohtani won’t be easy. The Dodgers’ superstar remains the MVP favorite for a reason. But Crow-Armstrong is quickly climbing the ladder – and fast. As the MVP race heats up, don’t be surprised if a 23-year-old rookie from Chicago continues to turn heads and rewrite expectations.
The torch may not have passed just yet. But if Pete Crow-Armstrong keeps this up, it won’t be long.
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