After last year, it seemed like Shohei Ohtani would be a lock to be the National League MVP for as long as he stayed healthy. After all, Ohtani won the award going away after hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases. He was the first 50/50 player in Major League history. Ohtani also did not throw a pitch last year, so it seemed the award was his with the expectation that he would return to the mound early this season. However, it is June 13th, and his return to pitching date is still unknown. Ohtani is having another great season in his own right with 23 home runs and 11 steals.

With all of that being said, what Pete Crow-Armstrong has done for the Chicago Cubs this season warrants MVP consideration. PCA has 18 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases. He also plays Gold Glove defense in centerfield. All of that adds up to a 4.1 wins above replacement (WAR), which leads the National League. (Ohtani is currently at 3.2, 3rd in the NL behind PCA and Paul Skenes) He needs to cut down on the strikeouts, 72 in 68 games, but his plate disiplined is improved over last year and should get better as he continues to get Major League at bats.

Some much has been made of the addition of Kyle Tucker and what his presence has brought to the Cubs lineup, but you can make the argument that PCA’s emergence is even more important to the team that currently leads the NL Central by 5.5 games and has the second best run differential in Major League Baseball behind the New York Yankees.

There is still a lot of baseball to be played, but if the season ended today PCA should be the NL MVP.