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Shohei Ohtani remains MLB’s best despite Pete Crow-Armstrong’s bold ‘dethrone’ claim

2026-07-15 · Shohei Ohtani · Player Focus

Shohei Ohtani still stands alone atop MLB in 2026, and Pete Crow-Armstrong just admitted the gap feels unbridgeable.

What did Pete Crow-Armstrong say about Shohei Ohtani?

During All-Star week in Arlington, Texas, Crow-Armstrong called Ohtani the best in the world and confessed he’d love to “dethrone” him as the National League’s top player. The Cubs center fielder even joked about heading to a pitching lab this offseason to try closing games and boost his odds. “I was telling a few of the guys earlier, ‘Man, I would love to dethrone him,’ but I don’t know how you do it unless I go to a pitching lab in the offseason,” PCA said.

How is Shohei Ohtani performing in 2026?

Ohtani skipped the All-Star Game to rest a lingering knee and receive treatment, yet he’s been unstoppable. Through mid-July, he’s batting .293 with 22 home runs and 58 RBIs. His slugging (.549) and OPS (.953) sit among the league’s elite. On the mound, Ohtani is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA across 14 starts, striking out 95 batters in 85.2 innings. The Dodgers two-way star is also in the thick of another NL MVP race, having claimed the award three straight seasons.

Where does Pete Crow-Armstrong stand right now?

Crow-Armstrong, 24, has been one of the NL’s breakout hitters in the first half. He’s batting .291 with 21 homers, 53 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases for the Cubs. His power-speed combo has drawn rave reviews, yet he still ranks behind Ohtani in overall value because the Dodgers superstar does it all-hitting and pitching at an elite level.

What happens next in the Shohei Ohtani vs. Pete Crow-Armstrong storyline?

The Cubs and Dodgers could collide in October, setting up a potential playoff showdown where Crow-Armstrong would face the man he’s chasing. For Ohtani, the focus stays on staying healthy and adding to his trophy case. A fourth straight MVP would cement his place as the NL’s undisputed king, while Crow-Armstrong’s climb continues-just one rung below the throne for now.

More Shohei Ohtani news →