Double Trouble: A Pair of Petes Forcing Their Way Into NL MVP Consideration
Crow-Armstrong’s breakout season and Alonso’s veteran excellence create compelling narratives in crowded MVP race
The National League MVP race has taken an unexpected turn as two players named Pete—one an emerging superstar, the other a proven veteran—have positioned themselves as legitimate contenders in what many expected to be a two-horse race between Shohei Ohtani and established superstars.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso are writing different chapters of the same compelling story, forcing their way into MVP conversations through dramatically different but equally impressive paths.
The Breakout Star
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s emergence as an MVP candidate represents one of baseball’s most captivating breakout stories. The 23-year-old is slashing .276/.314/.552 with 15 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases, numbers that only tell part of a much larger story.
What makes Crow-Armstrong’s candidacy so compelling isn’t just the raw production—it’s the historic nature of his pace. If PCA keeps up his prodigious pace, he would finish the season with 41 home runs and 50 stolen bases, a feat that would place him in extraordinarily rare company. Only six players in baseball history have achieved 40/40 seasons: Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco, Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano, Ronald Acuña Jr., and most recently, Cody Bellinger.
The Cubs’ dynamic center fielder has generated significant analytical support for his candidacy. PCA this season already has accounted for a WAR of 2.4, which is spectacular at this point of the season, being included in the top-five of WAR in all of baseball behind the likes of Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr, and Shohei Ohtani.
His defensive excellence amplifies his offensive contributions, creating a five-tool profile that has drawn comparisons to the game’s elite players. Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong—known around Chicago as “PCA”—has the charisma to be the next face of his sport, and the emerging MVP candidate is just getting started.
The Veteran’s Resurgence
Meanwhile, Pete Alonso’s MVP case represents a different but equally compelling narrative. The Mets’ cornerstone first baseman is experiencing a career renaissance at age 29, combining his trademark power with improved all-around performance. Both players are having outstanding campaigns for New York and are big reasons why the Mets own the National League’s best record.
Alonso’s candidacy benefits from the traditional MVP narrative of leading his team to success. The Mets’ position atop the National League standings provides crucial context for his individual achievements, as MVP voters historically favor players whose teams contend for postseason berths.
The Broader MVP Landscape
The emergence of both Petes has complicated what many expected to be a straightforward MVP race. While Shohei Ohtani remains the betting favorite, the dual Pete phenomenon has created intriguing storylines that extend beyond simple statistical comparisons.
Crow-Armstrong’s youth and potential future stardom contrasts sharply with Alonso’s established veteran leadership. One represents baseball’s future; the other embodies its present championship aspirations. Both have legitimate claims to MVP consideration, albeit through vastly different routes.
The statistical profiles couldn’t be more different. Crow-Armstrong offers the rare combination of power and speed that defines modern baseball’s most dynamic players. His defensive excellence and base-running prowess create value in multiple dimensions that traditional statistics struggle to capture completely.
Alonso’s case rests on more traditional MVP pillars: prodigious power numbers, RBI production, and leadership of a division-winning team. His veteran presence and clutch performance in crucial moments provide intangible value that resonates with both teammates and voters.
The Road Ahead
As the season progresses, both Petes face different challenges in maintaining their MVP momentum. Crow-Armstrong must sustain his historic pace while proving his breakout performance represents genuine stardom rather than early-season variance. The pressure of MVP expectations and increased scouting attention will test his ability to adapt and evolve.
Alonso’s path requires continued production while helping the Mets maintain their division lead. His MVP case strengthens with each game the Mets remain atop the standings, but could quickly evaporate if New York falters down the stretch.
The dual Pete phenomenon has transformed the NL MVP race from a predictable coronation into a genuinely compelling competition. Whether either can ultimately claim the hardware remains uncertain, but their emergence has already enriched one of baseball’s most prestigious individual awards with narratives that extend far beyond simple statistical dominance.
In a sport often criticized for lacking compelling personalities and storylines, the two Petes have provided exactly what baseball needs: genuine excitement about individual achievement tied to team success, youth challenging experience, and traditional power meeting modern versatility. Regardless of the final outcome, their parallel rises have made the 2025 NL MVP race one of the most engaging in recent memory.