30 Days of MLB Rankings: Center Fielders 20-11

Check out my previous rankings from this series:

Catchers 30-21 | Catchers 20-11  | Catchers 10-1  | First Base 30-21 | First Basemen 20-11 | First Basemen 10-1 | Second Basemen 30-21 | Second Basemen 20-11 | Second Basemen 10-1 | Third Basemen 30-21 | Third Basemen 20-11 | Third Basemen 10-1 | Shortstop 30-21 | Shortstops 20-11 | Shortstop 10-1  | Left Field 30-21 | Left Field 20-11 | Left Field 10-1  | Center Field 30-21

20. Harrison Bader, St.Louis Cardinals

2019: 128 games, .205/.314/.366 splits, .680 OPS, 12 Home Runs, 39 RBIs

After a solid rookie year in 2018, Harrison Bader took a step back in 2019. Through two seasons, Bader has already established himself as one of the elite defenders in center field in MLB. However, he provided next to nothing at the plate last season with an OPS well below .700. Bader hits for a low average and struggles with strikeouts. It will be interesting to see if he can turn in around in 2020.  

19. Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs

2019: 58 games, .264/.333/.564 splits, .898 OPS, 11 Home Runs, 30 RBIs

A demotion to Triple-A may have been all the motivation that Ian Happ needed to succeed. After a disappointing year in 2018, Happ was surprisingly sent to the minors for the start of last year. Upon getting called back up, he played the best baseball of his three-year career at age 24 with an OPS just below .900. While he plays some second base, Happ is projected to be Chicago’s everyday center fielder in 2020.  

18. Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox

2019 (Minors): 122 games, .328/.376/.624 splits, 1.001 OPS, 32 Home Runs, 92 RBIs

After a great year across three levels in the minors in 2019, Luis Robert signed a 6 yr 50M contract with the White Sox. Originally from Cuba, Robert provides a ton of power at the plate, which is why he’s the third-ranked prospect in MLB. However, while Robert may be a top-ten guy in the future, I can’t rank him much higher until he makes his debut.  

17. Ender Inciarte, Atlanta Braves

2019: 65 games, .246/.343/.397 splits, .740 OPS, 5 Home Runs, 24 RBIs

At age 28, Ender Inciarte battled injuries and had the worst year of his career in 2019. Inciarte has never hit for a ton of power but does a great job of getting on base. While he struggled in 2019, that seems to be the outlier in his career as he has always been an above-average center fielder. Defensively, he’s one of the best in MLB and a three-time gold-glove winner.  

16. Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets

2019: 69 games, .221/.375/.407 splits, .783 OPS, 8 Home Runs, 29 RBIs

Like Ender Inciarte, Brandon Nimmo is much better than his numbers showed in 2019 as he battled injuries. Nimmo is elite when it comes to drawing walks, drawing 46 base on balls in 254 plate appearances last year. For a full season, Nimmo could hit up to 25 home runs if he could stay healthy. Hopefully, he can avoid injuries going forward.  

15. Kevin Kiermaier, Tampa Bay Rays

2019: 129 games, .228/.278/.398 splits, .676 OPS, 14 Home Runs, 55 RBIs

While Kevin Kiermaier struggles at the plate, his defense earns him the fifteenth spot on this list. After down years in 2017 and 2018, Kiermaier was able to stay on the field and earn the second gold-glove of his career. However, at the plate, he struggles to draw walks with his career OBP barely above .300. At age 30, Kiermaier likely won’t make much of an impact at the plate for Tampa Bay going forward. 

14. Jackie Bradley Jr., Boston Red Sox

2019: 147 games, .225/.317/.421 splits, .738 OPS, 21 Home Runs, 62 RBIs

Jackie Bradley Jr. vs. Kevin Kiermaier was a difficult decision. Both struggle at getting on base, but pride themselves on playing elite defense. JBJ gets the edge because he provides occasional power, more than Kiermaier. Bradley Jr. has an absolute cannon of an arm in center, while also providing great range.  

13. Danny Santana, Texas Rangers

2019: 130 games, .283/.324/.534 splits, .857 OPS, 28 Home Runs, 81 RBIs

Having never hit more than seven home runs in any season, Danny Santana came out of nowhere to a breakout year in 2019. However, it’s tough to put him in the top ten based on his great year at the plate. He also needs to do a better job of drawing walks as he only had 25 last season. It will be interesting to see if 2019 was a fluke or if Santana is the real deal in 2020. 

12. Brett Gardner, New York Yankees

2019: 141 games, .251/.325/.503 splits, .829 OPS, 28 Home Runs, 74 RBIs

Known as a contact hitter for much of his career, Brett Gardner dropped that label in 2019 by hitting 28 home runs. Despite his age, he still has some speed on the base path. Defensively, he has great range but doesn’t have a very good arm. Heading into his age 36 season, Gardner should have one or two more good seasons left in the tank.   

11. David Dahl, Colorado Rockies

2019: 100 games, .302/.353/.524 splits, .877 OPS, 15 Home Runs, 61 RBIs

After having trouble finding his way in 2018, David Dahl broke out in 2019, earning his first all-star nod. Dahl does a great job of getting on base as he hit over .300. He has some power in his bat as well, connecting for 15 home runs. His biggest issue is his health, as he has struggled to remain on the field. If he can stay healthy, Dahl should continue to rise up this list.  

Come back tomorrow to see my top ten MLB Center Fielders!

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