Shohei Ohtani’s Reign as MVP Concludes with Historic Wins for Crow-Armstrong and Alvarez
Every season, Shohei Ohtani emerges as the frontrunner for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in Major League Baseball (MLB). His prolific performance in the 2024 season was groundbreaking, achieving the rare feat of hitting 50 home runs while also stealing 50 bases, ultimately securing the MVP title. The following year, he raised the bar even higher—hitting 55 home runs, stealing 20 bases, scoring 146 runs, and achieving a 2.87 ERA with 62 strikeouts over 47 innings, earning the MVP award unanimously.
Despite the monumental achievements by Ohtani, a remarkable season can still capture attention and accolades. This year, Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) of the Chicago Cubs delivered such a season.
Crow-Armstrong Shines in Historic Game
Pete Crow-Armstrong, a former highly regarded prospect, transitioned to the Cubs and showed promise in 2024 as a part-time player. In 2025, he showcased a unique blend of power and speed, hitting 31 home runs and stealing 35 bases. However, his swing-and-miss issues and unreadable walk rate clouded his ascension to superstardom. Nevertheless, 2026 marked a turning point for PCA.
The season started cautiously for Crow-Armstrong, but as temperatures warmed, so did his performance. His walk rate surged from 4.5% in 2025 to 11.4% in 2026. Enhanced bat speed contributed significantly, with measurements rising from 72.7 mph to 75.1 mph. Concurrently, PCA’s average exit velocity improved over a mile per hour to 90.6, while his hard-hit percentage reached an impressive 48.6%.
As a result of these improvements, PCA posted spectacular numbers this season, hitting 45 home runs, stealing 41 bases, and maintaining a batting average of .280 with a .372 on-base percentage and a .570 slugging percentage. His offensive output was 57% above league average, alongside his remarkable defensive capabilities, achieving a value of 23 runs over the average center fielder.
With a total of 10.6 wins above replacement, PCA’s exceptional season led to him being named the unanimous winner of the National League MVP Award, marking the end of Ohtani’s three-year reign.
Alvarez Claims AL MVP in Dominant Fashion
In the American League, Houston Astros’ designated hitter Yordan Alvarez also received significant recognition for his stellar performance. Throughout his career, Alvarez has consistently performed at an elevated level, finishing 66% better than league average offensively. In 2026, he achieved a weighted runs created plus of 181, considerably above the league average of 100.
After a challenging 2025 marred by injuries, Alvarez’s return was formidable, and his stats might have even been better given the quality of his contact. In an era rife with strikeouts, he stood out with 120 strikeouts compared to 142 walks, including a league-high 33 intentional walks.
Alvarez recorded 42 home runs and posted a phenomenal batting line of .316/.432/.601 in a season characterized by declining offensive metrics. His contributions to the Astros included a remarkable 1.033 OPS, the best in baseball this year.
Interestingly, Alvarez’s expected weighted on-base average of .429 exceeded his actual performance, suggesting that even better stats might have been attainable. He, too, secured a unanimous MVP selection.
Moving Forward
The consensus around Crow-Armstrong and Alvarez’s MVP wins underscores their dominance, despite Ohtani’s unique prowess in the league. Looking ahead, it remains plausible that both players will find themselves at the forefront of the MVP discussion once again in 2027, assuming a full season awaits.
Chief Editor of Quincy City Beat — Quincy, MA's independent investigative newspaper covering Greater Boston and the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts with fearless public accountability and free access for all readers.
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