What happened: Pete Crow-Armstrong credited Alex Bregman and assistant hitting coach John Mallee with helping him navigate an early-season offensive slump. Crow-Armstrong, who earlier in the year drew swing comparisons to Bregman, made key mechanical adjustments with their guidance. The midseason turnaround helped propel him to unanimous National League MVP honors.

Why it matters: The mentorship and coaching adjustments unlocked Crow-Armstrong's offensive ceiling after early struggles threatened his everyday role. Validating his development with an MVP award establishes him as an elite two-way cornerstone heading into the 2027 season.

What to watch: Crow-Armstrong will look to carry his breakthrough performance into the 2027 campaign when spring workouts begin.