30 Days of MLB Rankings: Top Ten Center Fielders

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 | Center Field 20-11 

10. Victor Robles, Washington Nationals

2019: 155 games, .255/.326/.419 splits, .745 OPS, 17 Home Runs, 65 RBIs

During his rookie campaign in 2019, Victor Robles had a great season, helping the team win a World Series. While Robles has some power at the plate, he does an even better job of stealing bases and helping produce runs with his speed. He stole 28 bases on 37 attempts in 2019. Defensively, Robles is already one of the best in MLB as he recorded an Rdrs of 23 last season. At age 23, he should only continue to get better.  

9. Lorenzo Cain, Milwaukee Brewers

2019: 148 games, .260/.325/.372 splits, .697 OPS, 11 Home Runs, 48 RBIs

After a great year in 2018, Lorenzo Cain took a bit of a step back in 2019 as his OPS dipped below .700. However, the reason he remains in the top ten is because of his fielding. Cain has been one of the best defenders in center of MLB and earned his first gold glove last season. Additionally, he’s speedy and stole 18 bases in 2019.   

8. Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins

2019: 87 games, .262/.314/.513 splits, .827 OPS, 10 Home Runs, 46 RBIs

Byron Buxton clearly has a ton of talent; he just needs to do a better job at staying on the field. After an abysmal 2018, Buxton had the best year of his career at the plate in 2019, before suffering an injury. In addition to his bat, Buxton has elite speed and stole 14 bases. He’s one of the best defensive center fielders in MLB and won a gold glove back in 2017.  

7. Jonathan Villar, Miami Marlins

2019: 162 games, .274/.339/.453 splits, .792 OPS, 24 Home Runs, 73 RBIs

From one bad team to another, Jonathan Villar signed with the Marlins in the offseason after a great year with Baltimore in 2019. For the moment, Villar is listed as a center fielder. However, if Isan Diaz struggles at second, Villar may take his spot with Lewis Brinson occupying center field. In addition to his power at the plate, Villar is incredibly fast and stole 40 bases last year.  

6. Whit Merrifield, Kansas City Royals

2019: 162 games, .302/.348/.463 splits, .811 OPS, 16 Home Runs, 74 RBIs

After having a great year at the plate, Whit Merrifield earned the first all-star nod of his career in 2019. Merrifield hits for a high average but also showed he has some power in his bat last season. If Nicky Lopez struggles, Whit Merrifield may move back to second base with Brett Phillips or Bubba Starling playing center. However, for the moment, it appears Merrifield will play center in 2020.  

5. Ramon Laureano, Oakland Athletics

2019: 123 games, .288/.340/.521 splits, .860 OPS, 24 Home Runs, 67 RBIs

At age 24, Ramon Laureano quietly broke out and was one of the best center fielders in MLB in 2019. At the plate, Laureano has a lot of power and also hits for a high average. However, his defense is the reason he cracks the top five. Laureano can throw any runner out no matter how the deep the throw is as he has an absolute cannon in center. It will be interesting to see how he builds upon his great 2019 campaign in 2020. 

4. Starling Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks

2019: 132 games, .295/.342/.503 splits, .845 OPS, 23 Home Runs 82 RBIs

After spending the first eight years of his career with the Pirates, Starling Marte was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Marte simply does everything well; he doesn’t have any weakness in his game. While his defense isn’t what it once was when he won gold glove awards in 2016 and 2017, he’s still above league-average. It will be interesting to see how he performs with his new team.  

3. George Springer, Houston Astros

2019: 122 games, .292/.383/.591 splits, .974 OPS, 39 Home Runs, 96 RBIs

If it weren’t for Cody Bellinger and Mike Trout each being MVP winners, George Springer would likely be even higher on this list. Despite missing a lot of time, Springer still had the best year of his career at the plate, hitting 39 home runs and winning a silver slugger award. Defensively, he brings great range and didn’t make a single error in center in 2019. 

2. Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers

2019: 156 games, .305/.406/.629 splits, 1.035 OPS, 47 Home Runs, 115 RBIs

At age 23, Cody Bellinger had an insane year at the plate, establishing himself as one of the best in MLB. If it weren’t for Mike Trout, Bellinger would easily be number one on this list. At the plate, he has elite power, recording an OPS well over 1.000. Defensively, he has an absolute cannon while also providing a great amount of range. With the Dodgers acquiring Mookie Betts, Bellinger will move from right field to center field for 2020. 

1. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

2019: 134 games, .291/.438/.645 splits, 1.083 OPS, 45 Home Runs, 104 RBIs

What can be said about Mike Trout that hasn’t been said already? At age 28, Trout has already established himself as one of the greatest players in MLB history as he won his third AL MVP in 2019. Trout is the definition of a five-tool player, playing all aspects of baseball at an elite level. Hopefully, for Trout, the Angels can perform better and get back to the postseason. Also, it’s worth mentioning that for someone who is the face of MLB, Trout is the definition of a class-act guy and truly a likable superstar.    

Come back tomorrow for the first part of my right field ranking!

Follow me on Twitter @PodolskyDanny

Come discuss this and much more at the Overtime Heroics forums!