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Best all-time center fielders in MLB history

By Bobby Mueller

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 29: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits a fly ball to deep center during the ninth inning of the MLB game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium on July 29, 2018 in Anaheim, California. The Mariners defeated the Angels 8-5. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 29: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits a fly ball to deep center during the ninth inning of the MLB game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium on July 29, 2018 in Anaheim, California. The Mariners defeated the Angels 8-5. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
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(Original Caption) 3/3/1954- Phoenix, AZ: Willy returns with a bang. Willy Mays, returning to the Giants from the army, and Manager Leo Durocher whoop it up after the outfielder pich hit a three run homer to give his side an 8-5 win during an inter squad game. The Giants will open their exhibition schedule against Cleveland at Tucson on March 6th.
(Original Caption) 3/3/1954- Phoenix, AZ: Willy returns with a bang. Willy Mays, returning to the Giants from the army, and Manager Leo Durocher whoop it up after the outfielder pich hit a three run homer to give his side an 8-5 win during an inter squad game. The Giants will open their exhibition schedule against Cleveland at Tucson on March 6th. /

Continuing our series on MLB History, today we look at the top 20 center fielders in the history of baseball.

Our series with the top players at each position in MLB history continues today with the best all-time center fielders. Previously, we examined the top left-handed pitchers. We’ve also revealed the top right-handed pitchers, catchers, first basemen, second basemen, third basemen, shortstops and left fielders in baseball history.

Some of the greatest hitters in the game have played center field, but in 2018 the position is more often manned by defense-oriented players. In today’s game, catchers are the weakest-hitting positions players. Center fielders slot in with second basemen and shortstops, then there’s a big gap to the better hitting positions of third base, left field, right field, first base and DH.

On this list of the top 20 center fielders in MLB history, every player who made the list was an above average hitter and most rated good defensively. The list includes two players with 600 or more home runs and two with 800 or more stolen bases. There’s a .366 career hitter and a .250 career hitter. One of these all-time great center fielders struck out more than once every five times up and another struck out only once every 20 times up.

Many of these center fielders are in the Hall of Fame, as you’d expect. There are also some names that may surprise you, players who look better statistically than you might remember. Only one active player made the list. Even a casual baseball fan should know who he is.

For this list, two versions of Wins Above Replacement (WAR) were used, those from Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference, along with Wins Above Average (WAA). Wins Above Average gives more credit to very good seasons. I believe it’s a good metric to use when looking at all-time greats. Jay Jaffe’s JAWS list was also part of the discussion.

In the end, 20 men made the cut and their careers span more than a century of baseball. Let’s look at the 20 best all-time center fielders in MLB history.

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