NL MVP Race: Pete Crow-Armstrong Leads Player Poll Over Shohei Ohtani

Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong leads a poll of 20+ MLB players for the NL MVP, outpacing Shohei Ohtani 15 votes to 4.

Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has emerged as a primary challenger to Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani in the National League MVP race. In a poll of more than 20 players across nine different MLB teams, Crow-Armstrong received 15 votes, while Ohtani secured four. Two players opted for a split MVP. DraftKings currently lists the two stars as neck-and-neck favorites for the award, which will be decided by 30 BBWAA voters—15 from each National League city—this November.

Statistically, Ohtani and Crow-Armstrong occupy the top two spots in the National League for OPS, OPS+, and WRC+. Crow-Armstrong holds the league lead in WRC+ and ranks second in the National League in stolen bases. Defensively, the Cubs outfielder leads all of Major League Baseball in outs above average. Ohtani’s case is built on his offensive production paired with 14 starts on the mound earlier this season, where he ranked among the sport's elite performers.

Pitching Status and Injury Timelines

Shohei Ohtani has not pitched in a game since July 3 due to knee soreness. However, he has recently initiated a throwing progression that could facilitate a return to the mound before the conclusion of the regular season. Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagan noted that if Ohtani returns to throw five to seven innings per start down the stretch, the conversation would change, but he currently favors Crow-Armstrong. Cardinals infielder Jose Fermin suggested the final month of the season will be the deciding factor, noting that Ohtani typically holds the advantage in WAR because he contributes as both a hitter and a pitcher.

White Sox pitcher Sean Burke cited Ohtani’s half-season of Cy Young-level pitching combined with his offensive output as a performance no one else has matched on both sides of the ball. Drew Romo, a White Sox catcher, echoed this sentiment, stating that Ohtani’s first-half performance on the mound was sufficient to earn his vote for the greatest player of all time.

Defensive Impact and the 40/40 Watch

Players favoring Crow-Armstrong highlighted his daily impact in center field. White Sox pitcher Trevor Richards described him as arguably the best fielder in baseball and noted that he has a chance to reach a 40/40 season. Cleveland Guardians first baseman Rhys Hoskins argued that a player who appears in the field every day makes a more consistent impact than a designated hitter, though he admitted that if Ohtani is pitching, there is little room for competition.

Mark Leiter Jr. of the Athletics pointed out that while Crow-Armstrong plays elite defense, Ohtani does not currently play the field. Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone compared the defensive value of Crow-Armstrong to Ohtani’s pitching, calling the race a draw similar to the competition between Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh in the previous year. Caglianone mentioned that while hitting stats are currently even, a return to pitching would likely skew the vote back toward the Dodgers' star.

Peer Perspectives from the Field

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brady Singer compared Crow-Armstrong’s electric style of play to Bobby Witt Jr., stating that the Cubs outfielder changes the game whenever he is on the field. Yankees infielder Luis Garcia Jr. acknowledged Ohtani’s ability to hit and pitch but ultimately selected Crow-Armstrong. Anthony Kay of the White Sox also leaned toward the Cubs center fielder, despite acknowledging the incredible WAR totals both players have produced.

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Colin Holderman suggested the possibility of a shared MVP award to recognize both unique skill sets. The Dodgers and Cubs were excluded from the polling to ensure neutral perspectives from the player panel. As the regular season enters its final stretch, the odds continue to fluctuate, with Ohtani recently reclaiming the lead just days after Crow-Armstrong had overtaken him as the betting favorite.