TOP 10 CENTER FIELDERS

Each year the MLB Network presents the "Top 10 Right Now" series, looking at the best players at each position headed into each season. They usually have multiple analysts break down their own top 10's for each position, as well as "The Shredders" top 10. "The Shredder" is the MLB Network's research department algorithm based on player performance, which accounts for both offense and defense. After watching most of these "Top 10 Right Now" and disagreeing with most of the positions, I figured I would give my opinion. I will give "The Shredders" top 10, followed by the hosts Brian Kenny's top 10, another analyst top 10 and then my personal top 10 for each position.

The position that will be looked at is Center Fielders. Other than third base, I think center field is one of the deepest positions in Major League Baseball. It's produced MVP's, five tool players and defensive highlights left and right. It seems like the old days where Willie Mays or Mickey Mantle were the captains of the outfield and the best bats at the plate. Now we have that with Andrew McCutchen, Mike Trout, or Lorenzo Cain. Center Field is usually looked at as the fast, defensive specialist position but it has produced that along with average and homers.

10. Andrew McCutchen - Pittsburgh Pirates. I guess I am the only one that still believes in McCutchen. I'm not going to look past his career stats after one subpar year, up to his standards. This is another player that anybody would want to have his kind of off year. He still was able to smack 24 home runs last year and knock in 80 runs hitting from the number 2 spot. Last year he had a couple of miscues in center field and his average dropped down to .250, but he is still a candidate for MVP every year. Now heading into the 2016 season, McCutchen will shift to right field and have less pressure on the field, which should improve his bat. There is no reason why the 2012 NL MVP shouldn't be in the top 10 of center fielders.

9. Adam Eaton - Washington Nationals. The Diamondbacks have spit out a lot of talent in the outfield. They've produce A.J. Pollock, Ender Inciarte, David Peralta, Justin Upton, Yosmany Tomas, and Adam Eaton. Eaton is your prototypical center fielder. He's the fast leadoff hitter who plays great defense. Recently he's even added to that repertoire with power last year. Now hitting leadoff for Washington, expect a lot of runs scored and a much needed leadoff hitter for the Nationals.

8. Charlie Blackmon - Colorado Rockies. The center fielder for the Rockies has become one of the best five tool players in the game. He can do everything for the Rockies and has become their best outfielder. Last year hitting 29 home runs, hitting .324, knocking in 82 runs, snagging 17 bags, and playing tremendous defense. The best part about Blackmon too is he is actually better on the road. All of his numbers have increased on the road rather than being the player ruined by Coors Field. He has proven to be good in any situation and leads the Rockies offensive charge.

7. A.J. Pollock - Arizona Diamondbacks. Pretty much the same player as Blackmon, Pollock's only problem is staying healthy. Last season was a lost season, but he has proven to be the difference maker in the Diamondbacks lineup. When he is healthy he produces about the same numbers as Blackmon, hitting for home runs, average, and knocking in runs. The difference between the two is Pollocks defense and speed. Pollock can track down any ball in the outfield and can snag around 35 bases a year. Winning the Gold Glove makes him one of the all around best outfielders in the league. 

6. Lorenzo Cain - Kansas City Royals. Cain is one of the sneaky good players in the league. Despite only playing in 103 games last season, Cain still put together respectable numbers. Cain slugged 9 home runs and 56 runs batted in with a .287 batting average. In 2016, Cain posted a 2.4 WAR, with a full season of play at the same pace Cain would have posted a 3.8 WAR, tying for sixth best out of center fielders. Its not the same Lorenzo Cain as the World Series years or the runner up in MVP year but he's one of the biggest contributors in the league.

5. Adam Jones - Baltimore Orioles. I'm not quite sure why Adam Jones has gotten less respect each year, but Jones has still proven to be one of the best hitters in the game. Jones finished the 2016 regular season with a .265 average, 29 home runs, 83 RBIs, 86 runs scored and two stolen bases and he's left off of peoples top 10s. WHY? No idea. He's been putting up consistent numbers year after year after year and will continue in 2017.

4. George Springer - Houston Astros. Springer debuted in 2014, but finished his first full season in 2016, playing in all 162 games and quietly putting together a solid season. Springer hit .260 with 29 HR, 82 RBI, and 168 Hits, totaling 5.1 WAR. While he does strikeout a bit, his strikeout rate has actually gone down in all three of his seasons. And he plays Gold Glove caliber defense each year in right field, now he makes the move to center where his defense will be on full display.

3. Jackie Bradley Jr. - Boston Red Sox. Boston has produced one of the best outfields in all of baseball, and Bradley is one of those pieces. For a while it seemed like Bradley was going to be the piece that Boston built around in the outfield. Everyone predicted him to be better than Jacoby Ellsbury. But to start his career, he batted .093 and was quickly sent to the minors. Last year everything appeared to click. He had a 21 game hitting streak during the year, and started hitting for power, especially extra base hits. Put it together with his still-sparkling defense in center field, and you have the player got people so excited about three years ago.

2. Christian Yelich - Miami Marlins. I've been one of Yelich's biggest fans since he came into the league. I think its because he looks like he's still in high school and he tears the pitchers apart. The Marlins are getting a steal with Yelich who is going to make the same is seven years as Giancarlo Stanton will in about 1 and a half years. Yelich, who's only 25, already owns a Gold Glove and a career .293/.369/.411 (117 OPS+) batting line since being called up in the second half of the 2013 season. Barry Bonds was able to help Yelich at the plate extending his power numbers and made Yelich one of the best hitting outfielders. Maybe Ichiro had something to do with that too. Yelich owns a .421 batting average when hitting the ball to the opposite field. From this visual, he keeps the ball on the grounds or lines base hits into the gaps. With Gold Glove defense he's my pick for second best center fielder.

he's only hit 3 Popups!!!

1. Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I mean was there any debate about Trout being the number 1 center fielder. The only thing worth arguing is why the Angels are called the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I mean why? But Mike Trout is clear as day the best center fielder in the league and in my opinion the BEST PLAYER in the league. Only 25 years old he's already stacked up awards like being a 2 time AL MVP, Rookie of the Year, a 5 time All-Star and a 5 time Silver Slugger. The only thing Trout has not had in his career is a Gold Glove, but has been a finalist every year since he entered the league. He could eventually be looked at as one of the greatest of all time.

One video isn't enough for this guy.

MLB

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Written by

nordbyjordan

Ground Jordan

Baseball advocate and sports nut, I don't have air like Jordan.

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