I will be compiling a list of the top three players at each position including designated hitter leading into Spring Training. My lists are based off of career stats/accomplishments, 2018 statistics, and their projections going into 2019. Today we continue with the best center fielders in MLB.
Yesterday I started the series with the left fielders, and today we dive into the top MLB center fielders which is a much deeper position.
As stated in the title, there are only three spots to fill, so there are many center fielders that were not able to get on my list, so let’s first go through those players:
Just Missed
Lorenzo Cain (Milwaukee Brewers)
Lorenzo Cain had another outstanding season, and did not seem to get the respect that he deserved because of the MVP season his teammate Christian Yelich had.
You could say Cain had a better year than his last year in Kansas City with the Royals. He had a batting average over .300, a slugging percentage over .400 and a better on base percentage.
Aaron Hicks (New York Yankees)
Aaron Hicks is also often overshadowed by Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, so people forget he is their center fielder and plays it pretty well.
Hicks held a wind above replacement (WAR) of 4.7 and career highs of 27 home runs and 79 runs batted in.
Charlie Blackmon (Colorado Rockies)
Charlie Blackmon has been one of the elite center fielders for a while now, and he did not stop in 2018. He held a batting average just under .300 with nearly 30 home runs and 70 RBI’s.
Blackmon is a three time all star and a two time silver slugger who will be in the lead off spot uet again for Bud Black and the Rockies for potentially the last run with Nolan Arenado.
A.J. Pollock (Los Angeles Dodgers)
A.J. Pollock just signed a huge deal with the Dodgers, but he put up a huge year in the desert with the Diamondbacks.
Pollock had career high’s in home runs (21) driving in 65, and carrying the load that was usually held by now ex-D-Back Paul Goldschmidt.
He is projected to have a huge year with the Dodgers as he is put in a good spot surrounded by power bats so he is sure to score a lot of runs.
Now here are my top three center fielders in the game….