Chicago Cubs: MLB analyst defends leaving Pete Crow-Armstong off his list of Most Valuable Players

The Chicago Cubs are 52-41 on the season and in second place in the National League Central Division. Throughout the course of the year, they have gone through many ups and downs, yet remain a team with one of the five best records in Major League Baseball.

Through it all, Gold Glove outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has been a mainstay in Chicago’s lineup. While an early-season slump had him knocked down to ninth in the batting order, he has rebounded beautifully and arguably is now one of the best lead-off hitters in the game.

Despite how much he has carried the Cubs so far this season, one MLB analyst does not consider him to be an MVP candidate.

MLB Network analyst does not believe Pete Crow Armstrong is an MVP candidate

Earlier this week, MLB Network analyst Greg Amsinger revealed his list of the top-10 most valuable players in Major League Baseball. He did not include Crow-Armstrong on the list, and was criticized for this omission on social media.

Later, he defended his stance, though his co-hosts (two former Major League players themselves) disagreed with him:

Greg defends his first-half MVP rankings and explains why he left PCA off his list, but @CliffFloyd30 and @Plesac19 disagree https://t.co/WBK8Kc7uN0 pic.twitter.com/qG6rURJj2C

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 10, 2026

“PCA, you’re my favorite player. I love PCA. He is a star. But folks, this is what I care about. Is your team winning, and it’s the first half’s most valuable players.

“PCA might win MVP (he won’t because Ohtani’s going to win it), but the whole second half.”

He then showed a graphic that compared Crow-Armstrong’s stats from his first 58 games to those of his last 35:

• First 58- .224/.314/.362, six home runs
• Last 35- .406/.494/.819, 15 home runs

“I think he was mismanaged! It wasn’t his fault! But for the first 58 games, he was one of the worst players on the Cubs. They were batting him ninth, not his fault. Then they move him to the lead-off spot, last 35 games, and he’s the best player in the world. You can’t be the MVP of a half if you’re one of the worst players on your team for 58 games.”

While one can see this argument to an extent, the fact remains that Chicago’s rise from the depths of the NL Central over the last month have been largely because of the spark Crow-Armstrong provides. The fact that they are in a position to compete for a Wild Card spots is largely due to his play.

More Chicago Cubs news from ChiCity Sports

• Former Mets GM admits he misjudged Pete Crow-Armstrong with trade
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