Very often MLB center fielders are the most athletic players on the baseball field. Many times they are the team’s biggest star. The expectation for them to cover more ground than anyone else on the field is a huge responsibility. They aren’t just defensive gurus either as many MLB greats were also terrific hitting center fielders, too.
Many of the game’s best already play the position. Mike Trout is clearly the frontrunner in this criteria, but others are falling in line behind him.
The 2017 season will likely fail to reveal the next version of Trout. However, it can allow a few center fielders on the brink of stardom to finally get over the hump. Three players who have already logged a few seasons in the big leagues stand out as the most likely candidates to make that leap from very good to great this season.
A change of scenery, a new position, and more experience are three of the reasons why I expect these MLB center fielders to have phenomenal breakout seasons in 2017. The most amazing thing of all, none primarily played the position last year. They are only now in center field because of how gifted they are at baseball. Putting them anywhere else is a waste of their talent.
While a younger player like Keon Broxton may have a terrific season or A.J. Pollock will return to greatness after missing most of last season, this list is exclusive and will not include them. The three MLB center fielders ready to become stars on this list are exclusive to those teetering for several seasons just below that elite level.