Center fielder’s are the outfield general. They take control out there, and the outfield is their’s. These days, centerfielders are some of the best defenders on the field. They also have a tremendous blend of offensive prowess. Here are the top centerfielders in major league baseball.
2018’s Top Centerfielders in Major League Baseball
10 A.J. Pollock
Pollock has the potential to be one of the top outfielders in the game, he just can;t seem to stay on the field. In the six years he has been in the league, Pollock has only played 100+ games three times. Although, the year he played the most games (157 in 2015) he was named to the All-Star team. For his career, he is a .286 hitter with 123 doubles and 53 home runs. Pollock has power, hits for average, has speed, and plays defense well, he just can;t seem to stay healthy.
9 Michael Conforto
Michael Conforto has one of the sweetest left-handed swings in the game today. The biggest question mark from him will be how we will bounce back from a torn posterior capsule in his shoulder. He isn’t expected to see the field until about May. However, when healthy Conforto flat out rakes. In 109 games in 2017, Conforto hit .279 with 27 home runs. Despite knocks on his defense, Conforto has handled center pretty well.
8 Byron Buxton
Buxton is the fastest player in the game right now. He is also a defensive magician, and not just because of his speed. Offensively, Buxton is yet to prove himself over a full season. However, he was one of the best hitters in the game the second half of the 2017 season. Buxton is out to prove that the second half heat up wasn’t just a fluke. If he can do that, Buxton has the ability and potential to be one of the very best in the game.
7 Ender Inciarte
Inciarte is easily the best defensive outfielder in the game today, as he has won back-to-back Gold Gloves in center. He has also taken some major strides forward offensively, as last season he hit .304 with 27 doubles, 11 home runs, 57 RBI’s, and stole 22 bases. Defensively, Inciarte covers the most ground in the league, and shines with his leather.
6 Lorenzo Cain
Cain is a tremendous example of elite defense, above average hitting, and speed. Lo Cain is one of the top defenders in centerfield. Speed wise, he has stolen ten or more bases in each of the past six seasons. At the plate, he hits for a high average and has some power. Over his career, Cain is a .290 hitter with 151 doubles and 57 home runs.
5 Kevin Kiermaier
Kiermaier has established himself as one of the premier defenders in the game today. Kiermaier’s glove alone makes him a star, as he has +90 defensive runs saved since 2014. He has also made tremendous strides offensively, as the past three seasons he has double digits in stolen bases and home runs.
4 Charlie Blackmon
The more playing time Charlie Blackmon has received, the more he has turned into a star. In 2017, he was named to his second All-Star game as he took home his first batting title, and led the league in hits (213), runs (137), triples (14), and at-bats (725). Blackmon also hit a career high 37 home runs. He is not just a Coors Field slugger, as he hit .313 on the road. His defense in center could be a bit shaky at times, however he certainly makes up for it with his offense.
3 George Springer
Springer won his first career Silver Slugger after putting up MVP type numbers last season. He had 34 home runs a top a very dangerous, World Series champion Astros lineup. Defensively, Springer has been solid since moving to center. The Connecticut kid is only going to keep getting better.
2 Christian Yelich
Yelich is going to win an MVP one day. He has the tools to be one of the very best in the game. In his five years in the league, he has only improved. Last season, he hit .282 with 18 home runs and 36 doubles. Yelich is going to continue his rise on a strong Brewers ball club this season.
1 Mike Trout
Trout is one of the most exciting players in the game today. He has been in the league for eight years now, and is only 26. Trout is a two time MVP, and a career .306 hitter with 200 home runs already. Trout is on pace to go down as one of the very best to ever play the game.
Check out the 2017 top center fielder list here!
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