Fox Sports Analyst Elevates Crow-Armstrong as 2026 NL MVP Frontrunner
Chicago Cubs centre fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has been identified as the preferred candidate for the National League Most Valuable Player award, challenging the dominance of Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
Fox Sports analyst Danny Parkins has publicly argued that Chicago Cubs centre fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong should secure the 2026 National League Most Valuable Player award, surpassing Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani. The assessment, delivered on Wednesday’s edition of First Things First, centres on Crow-Armstrong’s superior defensive metrics and consistent availability, contrasting sharply with Ohtani’s current injury status.
Parkins highlighted Crow-Armstrong’s MLB-leading 7.5 wins above replacement (WAR) as a primary differentiator. Through 121 games, the Cubs outfielder has recorded 27 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases, alongside a 156 OPS+ and 14 defensive runs saved. These figures underscore a season defined by both offensive production and elite defensive value, which Parkins described as separating Crow-Armstrong from his peers.
In comparison, Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 due to left knee irritation. While he remains in the lineup as a designated hitter with 27 home runs, 74 RBIs, and an NL-high 157 OPS+ through 111 games, his absence from the mound has diminished his two-way value. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that Ohtani is unlikely to return to the starting rotation by next week, emphasising the team’s focus on long-term health following a lubricant injection administered prior to the All-Star Break.
Parkins noted that while offensive production between the two players is remarkably similar, Crow-Armstrong’s defensive excellence provides a decisive edge. Ohtani, who won unanimous NL MVP honours in each of his first two seasons with the Dodgers, currently holds a 3.4 WAR. Parkins reserved the right to alter his vote if Ohtani returns to the mound effectively and helps the Dodgers secure the top seed in the National League, but maintained that Crow-Armstrong’s case is stronger under current conditions.
The Cubs’ centre fielder finished ninth in last year’s NL MVP voting after recording 31 home runs, 95 RBIs, and 35 stolen bases. His current season includes a career-high average exit velocity of 90.2 mph and a hard-hit percentage of 48.6 per cent. As other Dodgers pitchers, including Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell, navigate their own injury lists, the landscape for the MVP award remains fluid, with Parkins’ analysis placing significant weight on positional value and health.
