Pete Crow-Armstrong becomes first NL player since Barry Bonds to reach this milestone

Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Pete Crow-Armstrong becomes first NL player since Barry Bonds to reach this milestone

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Sep 10, 2026 12:14 PM ET

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has achieved something that hasn't been done in over two decades.

Crow-Armstrong has become the first player since Barry Bonds in 2004 to record a 10 fWAR in a season.

No other player in MLB this season has even come close to that mark, with Bobby Witt Jr. the next closest player with a 6.4 fWAR.

His historic performance this season has made him a favorite for the NL MVP award, as he's provided top-tier defense with superb offense. He recorded his second consecutive 30/30 season and is on his way to joining the 40/40 club.

The 24-year-old is boasting a .281 batting average with 41 home runs, 97 RBI, 36 stolen bases and a stellar .948 OPS.

#Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong is the first National League player since Barry Bonds in 2004 to record a 10 fWAR in a season. pic.twitter.com/304Dt1guFG
— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) September 10, 2026

Pete Crow-Armstrong mirroring Barry Bonds

Last season, PCA hit 31 home runs to go with 35 stolen bases, a 24 Outs Above Average and a 5.4 fWAR that was ranked 15th among MLB position players. Talk about a huge turnaround this season, where he owns an improved 25 OAA with the best fWAR in MLB that has nearly doubled from last year.

PCA's dominance has continued to mirror Bonds' past success. Both players collected 62 home runs across their first 385 games. In addition, PCA has recorded 87 stolen bases compared to Bonds' 83 during that same stretch.

Crow-Armstrong's Gold Glove-caliber defense mirrors a young Bonds when he was on the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he won three consecutive Gold Glove Awards (1990-92).

The outfielder has has helped guide the Cubs firmly into the playoff picture, as they sit in the second NL wild-card spot, 2.5 games clear of the Padres, who hold the final NL wild-card spot. He has provided elite run-production and has been one of the best hitters in MLB this season.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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