Pete Crow-Armstrong made history by becoming the seventh player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season, clinching a playoff berth for the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. His 2026 campaign, marked by a near-100-point jump in on-base percentage and an eight-point drop in chase rate, has positioned him as the runaway favorite for the National League MVP Award. Crow-Armstrong’s team-first mindset, emphasized throughout the season, has been praised by teammates and executives alike.

Cubs president Jed Hoyer called it 'the best position-player season I've ever seen,' predicting MVP, Hank Aaron Award, and Platinum Glove honors. His offensive evolution, especially a dramatic improvement against left-handed pitching—rising from a .188/.217/.376 slash line in 2025 to .282/.378/.513 in 2026—has forced opposing managers to rethink game plans. Teammates Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner highlighted his impact, noting how his ability to capitalize on mistakes has changed how teams approach pitching to the Cubs.

Crow-Armstrong’s focus on process over accolades has become a defining trait of the Cubs’ October run.