CHICAGO – Just over a year ago, Pete Crow-Armstrong was being touted as a promising young talent for the Chicago Cubs. Today, the conversation has completely changed.

Now, the question isn’t whether Crow-Armstrong can become a star.

The real question being asked across MLB is: Is Pete Crow-Armstrong the strongest contender for the 2026 National League MVP award?

After a series of explosive performances in recent weeks, the 23-year-old Cubs center is forcing experts to reconsider the entire MVP race. What he’s shown is no longer simply a good season. It’s the emergence of a true superstar.

When the Cubs decided to build their future around Crow-Armstrong with a $115 million contract extension earlier this year, many believed the team was betting on his potential. But just a few months later, that decision looked more like a bargain than a gamble.

Crow-Armstrong was becoming central to Chicago’s success.

He scored points.

He stole bases.

He saved seemingly impossible plays out of center court.

And most importantly, he consistently appeared at the most crucial moments.

That’s what distinguishes an All-Star from an MVP candidate.

In recent days, Crow-Armstrong has consistently produced moments that have driven Wrigley Field fans wild.

Against the Oakland Athletics, he turned a seemingly lost game into a breathtaking victory with a home run that sparked a comeback and an RBI walk-off in the ninth inning.

Just days later, against the San Francisco Giants, PCA became the hero again with two home runs, including a tie-breaking home run in the ninth inning before the Cubs secured a dramatic overtime victory. He finished the game with a 4-for-5 record, almost single-handedly leading the Cubs to victory.

That wasn’t a momentary burst of brilliance.

It was a sign of a player learning to dominate the game.

What makes Crow-Armstrong special is that he doesn’t rely on a single skill.

Some MVP candidates create value with batting power.

Some with basemanship.

Some with defense.

Crow-Armstrong does it all.

He’s one of MLB’s best defensive centers, possesses league-leading speed, and is increasingly becoming a real threat in the batter’s box. High ratings continue to place him among the league’s most valuable players due to his contributions on both offense and defense.

That makes him the rare type of player every team craves.

Chicago has long searched for an iconic successor to the post-Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javier Báez era.

Now, they may have found that person.

Crow-Armstrong doesn’t just produce results.

He brings energy.

He brings emotion.

He delivers moments that make the crowd jump out of their seats.

Every time PCA takes the court, fans feel something special might happen.

That’s the mark of rare superstars in sports.

This season’s National League still boasts many formidable contenders.

But Crow-Armstrong is gradually forging his own advantage.

At 23, he’s not just the future of the Cubs.

He is the present.

From his iconic Gold Glove catches to game-changing home runs, PCA consistently demonstrated his ability to influence outcomes in a variety of ways. This helped him stand out in the race for the National League’s most prestigious individual award.

The most frightening thing for the rest of MLB is that Crow-Armstrong hasn’t yet reached his peak.

Many experts believe his strike zone control and ball selection still have significant room for improvement. If that happens, the Cubs could possess one of baseball’s most complete players for years to come.

That’s also why Chicago is willing to offer him a long-term contract.

They’re not just buying what PCA is doing today.

They’re investing in what he can become tomorrow.

Every season has a moment when a true MVP contender stands out from the crowd.

For Pete Crow-Armstrong, that moment could be happening right now.

Home runs.

Stealth plays.

Center-bound saves.

And those decisive moments when the Cubs needed him most.

All of this is combining to create an increasingly compelling MVP profile.

Pete Crow-Armstrong is no longer a promising young talent.

He’s no longer the future of the Chicago Cubs.

He’s becoming the face of the present.

And if this momentum continues, the rest of the National League may have to come to terms with a new reality:

The 2026 MVP race is increasingly taking on Pete Crow-Armstrong.