Sports

Pete Crow-Armstrong unanimously named NL MVP: Ohtani finishes second

Crow-Armstrong's breakout season edges out Ohtani after Dodgers' two-way star struggles with injuries

By The Unbiased Times AI

November 13, 2026 • 5:06 AM

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Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs was named National League Most Valuable Player in a unanimous vote on Thursday, ending Shohei Ohtani’s two-year reign as NL MVP. Ohtani, the Dodgers’ two-way star, finished second in the voting, marking the first time in his career he did not win the award in a full season.

The Cubs’ center fielder received all 30 first-place votes after delivering a career-best performance in 2026, hitting .280 with 45 home runs, 41 stolen bases, and 107 RBIs. Ohtani, who had won the MVP in 2024 and 2025, saw his season derailed by injuries, including a lingering left knee issue and a recurring right biceps problem. He did not return to pitching after the All-Star break and saw his offensive production decline in the final months.

Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes acknowledged the challenges of managing Ohtani’s two-way workload, stating that the team plans to have him return to pitching in 2027 after a normal offseason. Gomes added that the organization will review this season’s struggles to avoid similar pitfalls moving forward.

Crow-Armstrong’s rise to MVP status follows a steady progression in his career. After being drafted by the Mets and later traded to the Cubs, he showed gradual improvement, culminating in a breakout season where his walk rate increased from 4.5% in 2025 to 11.4% in 2026, and his average exit velocity rose to 90.6 mph. His coach at Harvard-Westlake High School noted his growth in patience and work ethic over the years.

In the American League, Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros was named AL MVP after leading the league with a .321 batting average, 48 home runs, and 131 RBIs. Alvarez’s performance marked the first time since 2023 that an Astros player won the award.

The MVP awards were announced by Major League Baseball on Thursday, with Crow-Armstrong becoming the 11th unanimous NL MVP in the award’s history. His selection underscores the competitive balance in the National League, where Ohtani’s historic two-way contributions were ultimately outshined by Crow-Armstrong’s all-around excellence.

Narrative Analysis

How different sources frame this story

Ohtani’s Injury and Dodgers’ Strategic Missteps

Sources: latimes.com

Focus

The narrative centers on Shohei Ohtani’s injury struggles and the Dodgers’ management of his two-way workload as the primary reasons for his MVP loss.

Evidence Subset

Emphasizes Ohtani’s inability to return to pitching after the All-Star break, his declining offensive performance, and the Dodgers’ plans to adjust his role in 2027.

Silhouette (Omissions)

Downplays Crow-Armstrong’s individual achievements and instead frames the story as a cautionary tale about Ohtani’s durability and the Dodgers’ handling of his workload.

Crow-Armstrong’s Breakout Season and Statistical Dominance

Sources: foxnews.com

Focus

This narrative highlights Pete Crow-Armstrong’s career-best performance, his improved plate discipline, and his rare combination of power and speed as the defining factors in his MVP win.

Evidence Subset

Focuses on Crow-Armstrong’s **45 home runs, 41 stolen bases, and a 11.4% walk rate**, as well as his **90.6 mph exit velocity** and **48.6% hard-hit rate** as proof of his breakout season.

Silhouette (Omissions)

Minimizes discussion of Ohtani’s injuries and instead presents Crow-Armstrong’s MVP as a result of his own statistical dominance rather than Ohtani’s decline.

Crow-Armstrong’s Humble Journey and Long-Term Development

Sources: latimes.com

Focus

This narrative frames Crow-Armstrong’s MVP as the culmination of a patient, steady progression from his high school days at Harvard-Westlake to his breakout MLB season.

Evidence Subset

Includes Crow-Armstrong’s return to Harvard-Westlake, his reflections on growth, and his coach’s observations about his improved work ethic and patience.

Silhouette (Omissions)

Excludes detailed statistical analysis of Crow-Armstrong’s season and instead emphasizes his personal journey and character as key factors in his success.

Cross-Narrative Analysis

How the narratives compare

The three narratives diverge in their emphasis on the primary factors behind Crow-Armstrong’s MVP win. A reader relying solely on **latimes.com** would primarily understand the story through the lens of Ohtani’s injuries and the Dodgers’ strategic challenges, potentially overlooking Crow-Armstrong’s individual achievements. Conversely, a reader exposed only to **foxnews.com** would see the MVP as a result of Crow-Armstrong’s statistical dominance, with minimal context about Ohtani’s struggles. Meanwhile, **latimes.com**’s third narrative presents the MVP as a personal triumph for Crow-Armstrong, focusing on his development rather than broader league trends. These silos create distinct interpretations of the same event, with each emphasizing different aspects of Crow-Armstrong’s season and Ohtani’s decline.

This analysis identifies how media sources emphasize different aspects of the same story. No narrative is labeled as more accurate than others.

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