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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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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – JULY 23: Carlos Beltran #15 of the New York Mets bats during a MLB game against the Florida Marlins at Sun Life Stadium on July 23, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images) /

Best All-Time Center Fielders #8: Carlos Beltran

“Major League Baseball should retire Roberto Clemente’s number, just like they did Jackie Robinson’s.”—Carlos Beltran

It might be surprising to see Carlos Beltran ranked this high, but the advanced numbers really like him. He ranks eighth in Fangraphs WAR, seventh in Baseball-Reference WAR, and ninth in Jay Jaffe’s JAWS. If Beltran had played for just one or two teams during his career, rather than seven, perhaps he’d be looked at differently.

Beltran came up with the Kansas City Royals and was good early on. He won the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 1999 when he scored 112 runs, hit 22 dingers, had 108 RBI, and stole 27 bases. Injuries limited him to 98 games the following season, but he bounced back in 2001 to have another great all-around year.

As a young player, Beltran was a run-producer who could hit the long ball and steal bases while playing well in center field. From 1999 to 2008, he averaged 147 games played, 102 runs scored, 26 homers, 98 RBI and 27 steals, while hitting .281/.357/.497. His ability to fill the boxscore made him a 52.5-WAR player over that 10-year period.

As he aged into his 30s, Beltran struggled some years with injuries, but was productive when he was on the field. He was an all-star at least once with four different teams, including five all-star selections while he played for the New York Mets. He also won three Gold Glove Awards and two Silver Sluggers trophies.

Beltran continued to have success late into his career with the Cardinals and Yankees. He didn’t play well in his final season with the Astros in 2017, but was credited for his veteran leadership in helping the Astros win the first World Series in franchise history. Hopefully, he gets more support on the Hall of Fame ballot than Kenny Lofton did.

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