Pete Crow-Armstrong is a 24-year-old American professional baseball player and the Chicago Cubs center fielder who won the 2026 National League Most Valuable Player award unanimously. Known by his nickname PCA, he received all 30 first-place votes after recording 45 home runs, 41 stolen bases, and 107 RBIs during a historic season. His achievement made him the first Cubs player to win the NL MVP unanimously and established him among Major League Baseball’s leading all-around stars.
Who Is Pete Crow-Armstrong?
Pete Crow-Armstrong is an American MLB center fielder who plays for the Chicago Cubs. He is recognized for his combination of home-run power, exceptional speed, and elite defensive ability.
Born on March 25, 2002, in Sherman Oaks, California, Crow-Armstrong developed his baseball skills while attending Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles.
He entered professional baseball after the New York Mets selected him in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft.
Following a trade to Chicago in 2021, he progressed through the Cubs’ minor league system before making his major league debut in September 2023.
His rapid improvement eventually led to a historic 2026 season.
Age and Height
Pete Crow-Armstrong is 24 years old as of November 2026. His birthday is March 25, 2002.
He stands approximately 6 feet tall and weighs 184 pounds, according to his listed player profile.
Crow-Armstrong bats left-handed and throws left-handed, making him a natural fit for center field.
He wears jersey number 4 for the Chicago Cubs.
His athletic build, quick reactions, and running speed have contributed to his success both offensively and defensively.
These physical qualities are particularly important in center field, where players must cover large areas of the outfield.
Parents and Family
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s parents are actors Ashley Crow and Matthew John Armstrong.
He grew up in Sherman Oaks, California, in a family connected to the entertainment industry.
His mother, Ashley Crow, is known for her work in television and film, including the baseball movie Little Big League.
His father, Matthew John Armstrong, has also appeared in television productions.
Despite his parents’ acting backgrounds, Crow-Armstrong pursued professional sports rather than following them into entertainment.
He attended Harvard-Westlake School, an institution recognized for producing talented baseball players.
His development there helped establish him as a leading prospect before the 2020 draft.
MLB Draft
The New York Mets selected Crow-Armstrong with the 19th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.
He entered the draft directly from Harvard-Westlake School, where his defensive ability and athletic potential attracted considerable attention.
The Mets viewed him as a promising young outfielder with the tools to develop into a major league regular.
However, his time in the organization was relatively short.
In July 2021, New York traded him to the Chicago Cubs in a deal involving established major league players.
That transaction ultimately became an important turning point in his career.
Chicago Cubs Trade
The Chicago Cubs acquired Pete Crow-Armstrong from the New York Mets in July 2021 in exchange for Javier Báez and Trevor Williams.
At the time, Crow-Armstrong was still developing in the minor leagues.
Chicago invested in his long-term potential, particularly his speed, defensive range, and ability to become a productive everyday center fielder.
He continued progressing through the Cubs’ farm system before receiving his first major league opportunity.
The trade later became especially significant as Crow-Armstrong developed into an MVP-winning player.
His success gave Chicago a franchise cornerstone acquired through a major deadline transaction.
MLB Debut
Pete Crow-Armstrong made his MLB debut on September 11, 2023, with the Chicago Cubs.
His first major league appearances were primarily an opportunity to gain experience against top-level competition.
He played 13 games during the 2023 season and did not record a hit, finishing with a .000 batting average.
However, he contributed defensively and recorded two stolen bases.
His early offensive struggles did not prevent the Cubs from continuing to develop him.
By 2024, he had become a more regular part of Chicago’s major league roster.
2024 Breakthrough
Crow-Armstrong played 123 games during the 2024 MLB season, recording a .237 batting average.
He finished the year with 10 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases.
Although his offensive production was still developing, his defensive ability and speed made him valuable to the Cubs.
He demonstrated the ability to cover considerable ground in center field and create scoring opportunities through aggressive baserunning.
The season provided important experience and established a foundation for his future improvement.
His next campaign brought a significant increase in power production.
2025 Performance
In 2025, Crow-Armstrong hit 31 home runs, drove in 95 runs, and stole 35 bases across 157 games.
His batting average finished at .247, while his slugging percentage increased to .481.
The improvement demonstrated that he could contribute more consistently as a power hitter while maintaining his speed.
His offensive growth complemented the elite defense that had already become a defining feature of his game.
Crow-Armstrong also earned an All-Star selection, reflecting his growing reputation around Major League Baseball.
By the end of 2025, he had established himself as one of Chicago’s most important players.
Historic 2026 Season
The 2026 MLB season became the defining achievement of Crow-Armstrong’s career.
He played all 162 regular-season games, hitting .280 with 45 home runs, 107 RBIs, and 41 stolen bases.
He also scored 119 runs while recording a .372 on-base percentage and .570 slugging percentage.
His .942 OPS highlighted the improvement in his overall offensive production.
Crow-Armstrong tied Kyle Schwarber for the major league lead in home runs and led the National League in several important offensive categories.
His performance combined consistent hitting, power, speed, and exceptional defense.
Those achievements made him one of the strongest candidates for the National League MVP award.
40–40 Club
Pete Crow-Armstrong became the first Chicago Cubs player to record at least 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in one season.
His final totals of 45 home runs and 41 stolen bases placed him in MLB’s exclusive 40–40 club.
He became the seventh player in major league history to accomplish the feat.
The milestone requires an unusual combination of power and speed, qualities that are rarely displayed at such high levels in the same season.
For the Cubs, the achievement represented a franchise first.
It also strengthened Crow-Armstrong’s reputation as a complete offensive player rather than primarily a defensive specialist.
Unanimous MVP Award
On November 12, 2026, Pete Crow-Armstrong won the National League MVP award with all 30 first-place votes.
The unanimous selection made him the first player in Chicago Cubs history to receive the honor without losing a first-place vote.
His victory also ended Shohei Ohtani’s recent run of National League MVP awards.
Crow-Armstrong’s combination of offensive production and defensive excellence distinguished him during the voting process.
He finished the season with an MLB-leading 9.8 Baseball-Reference WAR and 10.6 FanGraphs WAR, according to the reported figures.
These measurements reflected his substantial overall contribution to Chicago’s performance.
Defensive Awards
Crow-Armstrong’s success extended beyond his offensive statistics.
He won his second consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2026, recognizing his defensive performance in center field.
He also received the 2026 Platinum Glove Award, an additional distinction recognizing exceptional fielding.
Crow-Armstrong led Major League Baseball with 26 Outs Above Average, a defensive metric that evaluates fielding performance relative to expected results.
His speed, positioning, and ability to make difficult catches helped him become one of baseball’s most effective outfield defenders.
The combination of defensive awards and offensive milestones made his MVP campaign particularly notable.
$115 Million Contract
Pete Crow-Armstrong signed a six-year, $115 million contract extension with the Chicago Cubs in March 2026.
The agreement reflected the organization’s confidence in his long-term future.
By securing the extension, Chicago strengthened its commitment to a player who had already demonstrated considerable potential.
His subsequent MVP-winning season made the contract an especially important development for the franchise.
The agreement also provided Crow-Armstrong with substantial financial security while allowing him to continue his career with the team that developed him into a major league star.
Career Statistics
Crow-Armstrong’s progression from his 2023 debut through the end of 2026 illustrates his development into a leading MLB player.
| Season | Games | Home Runs | RBIs | Stolen Bases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2024 | 123 | 10 | 47 | 27 |
| 2025 | 157 | 31 | 95 | 35 |
| 2026 | 162 | 45 | 107 | 41 |
| Career | 455 | 86 | 250 | 105 |
His career batting average stands at .255 through the 2026 season, with an overall .320 on-base percentage and .489 slugging percentage.
His strongest statistical improvement came between 2024 and 2026, particularly in home runs, batting average, and run production.
Latest Update
As of November 14, 2026, Pete Crow-Armstrong is the reigning National League MVP and one of the Chicago Cubs’ most valuable players.
His 2026 achievements include a unanimous MVP award, 45 home runs, 41 stolen bases, a Gold Glove, a Platinum Glove, and the National League Hank Aaron Award.
He also earned his second consecutive All-Star selection and All-MLB First Team recognition.
At just 24 years old, Crow-Armstrong has already established several historic Cubs records and secured a six-year, $115 million contract.
His next challenge will be maintaining the exceptional standard he established during his award-winning 2026 season.
