Sports · Baseball · 5 hrs ago
Pete Crow-Armstrong wins NL Hank Aaron Award after breakout Cubs season
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong won the National League Hank Aaron Award after a standout 2026 season.
He had started the year slowly at the plate, batting .238 with a .679 OPS in the season’s first six weeks.
A mid-May game against Atlanta marked a turning point, when Crow-Armstrong moved closer to home plate to improve his chances of reaching base.
Cubs hitting coach John Mallee also worked with him on recognizing pitches and cutting down on swings at balls outside the strike zone.
His improved plate discipline helped unlock his offense, while a move to the leadoff spot made him feel more involved.
The award recognizes his season, which also made him a leading contender for National League MVP honors.
He signed a six-year, $115 million contract extension with the Cubs a few months before the season began.
Pete Crow-Armstrong won the National League Hank Aaron Award, according to Yahoo Sports.
The Chicago Cubs center fielder had a quiet start to the 2026 season, batting .238 with a .679 OPS in its early portion.
In mid-May, the Cubs moved him closer to the plate in a game against the Atlanta Braves and Chris Sale.
Crow-Armstrong later moved into the leadoff spot and improved his approach at the plate, according to hitting coach John Mallee.
- Who
- Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Chicago Cubs center fielder.
- What
- He won the National League Hank Aaron Award.
- When
- 2026. The award announcement date is not stated.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Crow-Armstrong batted .238 with a .679 OPS during a quiet first six weeks.
The Cubs moved Crow-Armstrong closer to the plate against the Atlanta Braves and Chris Sale.
The Cubs put Crow-Armstrong in the leadoff spot, according to Mallee.
Yahoo Sports reported that Crow-Armstrong won the NL Hank Aaron Award.
- Award
- National League Hank Aaron Award
- Team
- Chicago Cubs
- Early-season batting average
- .238
- Early-season OPS
- .679
- Mid-May opponent
- Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale
4 sources
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Cubs news: Pete Crow-Armstrong wins the NL Hank Aaron Award
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It's like a light switch went on