Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong earns Mike Trout comparison amid MVP run

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has elevated his game into a different stratosphere in 2026. He is ending the regular season as the clear NL MVP favorite and will be tasked with leading the Cubs’ playoff push.

Entering Tuesday’s games, Crow-Armstrong is hitting .280 with 45 home runs, 107 RBIs and 38 stolen bases. He is tied for the MLB lead in home runs, ranks fourth in RBIs and fifth in stolen bases.

Looking deeper into the stats shows even moreso how bonkers the outfielder’s season has been. Crow-Armstrong currently holds a Wins Above replacement mark of 10.4. The next highest player is Shohei Ohtani at 6.7, via FanGraphs. Even the best players in the league don’t often have that big of an advantage.

Crow-Armstrong’s 2026 season won’t be forgotten soon and will likely be capped by an MVP award. It also stacks up amongst the greatest performances in league history.

Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong in elite company

Only five outfielders have in the past half century have reached the 10 WAR mark. Which is why Jeff Passan of ESPN awarded Crow-Armstrong is ‘Best Prime Mike Trout Impression’ Award.

“One look at 10-win seasons by outfielders in the past half-century illustrates that,” Passan wrote. “Only five players have reached that mark: Barry Bonds five times, Aaron Judge three, Mike Trout two, and Rickey Henderson, Mookie Betts and Crow-Armstrong one time apiece. None went 40/40 like Crow-Armstrong will look to do with two more stolen bases this week. The closest facsimiles are Trout in his first full season (30 home runs and 49 stolen bases) and Betts in 2018 (32 and 30).”

“Even though Trout and Betts had better all-around offensive numbers, Crow-Armstrong’s acumen at such an important defensive position makes up for whatever offensive deficiencies one chooses to use against him,” he continued. “And given that he has the highest wOBA in the NL this year, Crow-Armstrong’s bat has done sufficient talking already.”

While injuries and the Los Angeles Angels have held him back, Trout was considered one of the best players in league history during his prime. He has 12 All-Star nominations and three MVP awards to show for it. For Crow-Armstrong to be considered in that light is telling.

But the one accolade that has escaped Trout is a World Series title. Crow-Armstrong is trying to be different in that regard. His MVP season would only be held at highest esteem should the outfielder lead Chicago on a deep run.

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