From CBS Sports · · 1m 30s
Pete Crow-Armstrong MVP Path
Pete Crow-Armstrong, 24, wins 2026 NL MVP and may follow Willie Mays' career trajectory.
In brief
Pete Crow-Armstrong, 24, wins 2026 NL MVP and may follow Willie Mays' career trajectory. Pete Crow-Armstrong, 24, wins 2026 NL MVP and may follow Willie Mays' career trajectory. Originally reported by CBS Sports.
2026 NL MVP Award
Pete Crow-Armstrong wins 2026 National League MVP award with .280/.372/.570 batting average and 2026 season performance.
Historical Center Fielders
Eight center fielders since integration have posted at least 8.0 WAR age-25 or younger: Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Willie Davis, César Cedeño, Ken Griffey Jr., Andruw Jones, Mike Trout and PCA.
Davis Career Path
Willie Davis had 8.4 WAR in 1964 with 23 doubles, seven triples, 12 home runs, 77 RBI, 91 runs and 42 steals.
Cedeño and Jones Routes
César Cedeño and Andruw Jones had strong early careers but declined after age-29 with 49.4 WAR and 3.6 WAR in final six years.
Mantle, Trout, Griffey Paths
Mickey Mantle, Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Trout had high career WAR but dropped off after age-30 with 19.5 WAR in final six seasons.
Willie Mays' Legacy
Willie Mays led majors in WAR eight times from age-23 to -35 with 5.2 WAR at age 39 and 6.3 at age 40.
Crow-Armstrong's Realistic Path
Pete Crow-Armstrong's career likely follows Cedeño and Mantle's paths with 30-30 and 40-40 seasons before potential decline.
Historical Comparison
Crow-Armstrong's 2026 MVP season places him between Cedeño and Mantle in historical center fielder comparisons.
The bottom line
Pete Crow-Armstrong, 24, wins 2026 NL MVP and may follow Willie Mays' career trajectory.
