MLB MVP Race: Crow-Armstrong Leads Ohtani in Player Poll

The race for the National League MVP is heating up, with a simulated vote among Major League Baseball players revealing a strong preference for the Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong over the Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani. In a poll conducted by ESPN involving 20 players not affiliated with the Dodgers or Cubs, Crow-Armstrong secured 15 votes, while Ohtani garnered 4, and one player cast a vote for both. Ohtani has delivered an impressive season offensively, batting .294 with 30 home runs and a .942 OPS, leading the NL. Despite not pitching since July 3, he posted a 9-2 record with a 1.79 ERA before the All-Star break. Crow-Armstrong, meanwhile, has hit 31 home runs with 79 RBIs and a .928 OPS. His advanced defensive metrics are exceptional, with an Outs Above Average (OAA) of 23, ranking second in MLB, and a WAR of 8.3, surpassing Ohtani's 7.0. Players highlighted Crow-Armstrong's consistent impact on the field and his elite defense as key factors. Rhys Hoskins of the Guardians acknowledged Ohtani's potential as the greatest player in history but argued that players who compete daily should have a greater influence. He voted for Crow-Armstrong, stating that while Ohtani's performance is incredible, Crow-Armstrong is the best player on the field whenever he plays. Mark Leiter Jr., a right-handed pitcher for the Athletics, suggested that the Dodgers' lineup would not suffer significantly if Ohtani were removed, implying Crow-Armstrong's defensive value is comparable to Ohtani's pitching contributions. Jac Caglianone, a pitcher for the Royals, echoed this sentiment, placing Crow-Armstrong's defensive value on par with Ohtani's pitching value, considering their offensive contributions nearly equal.

“

We are able to see Shohei now, he might be the greatest player in baseball history, and because he is able to do those unbelievable things, we are able to have this discussion.