2018 Positional Top 10: Centerfield
Matt Linder
The centerfield position has an interesting mix of players. It is spearheaded by an all-time great and followed by a blend of emerging stars and breakout performers. The players ooze with athleticism, making it one of the most exciting positions in baseball. Enjoy!
1. Mike Trout
Trout is the best player in baseball. Period. He has won two MVPs, finished second three other times (at least two of which he was robbed) and he is only 26 years old. Had he played a full season in 2017, the Angels’ centerfielder would have likely won a third MVP award. It is almost a waste of time to provide the specific stats and slashlines for Trout. Just go to his Baseball Reference page and check out all of the bold print.
2. Charlie Blackmon
The Rockies’ centerfield was a late bloomer. He didn't become an everyday player until his age 27 season in 2014. Since then, Blackmon has solidified himself as a star. Overall, he hit .331/.399/.601 with 37 home runs last season, but when dissected between home and road splits, there is a stark difference. Away from Coors Field, he only produced a league average slashline of .276/.337/.447. However, Blackmon may not simply be a product of a hitter-friendly home ballpark. In 2016, he was essentially the same hitter both at home and on the road. The 31-year old just signed a lucrative extension to stay in Colorado and hopes to lead the team to another playoff berth in 2018.
3. George Springer
Springer had a breakout season in 2017, culminating in a World Series MVP award. The Astros’ centerfield always boasted impressive tools, but his strikeout totals held him back earlier in his career. Last season, he cut his strikeout rate to an solid 18%. With his new, more patient approach, Springer saw a boost in both batting average and slugging percentage. The 28-year old couples his offensive production with solid defense in centerfield. Despite being the least heralded of the Astros’ Big Three, Springer’s value is certainly on par with Correa and Altuve.
4. Lorenzo Cain
The Brewers’ new centerfield is a triple threat. He can win games with his elite glove, constantly grading out as one of the top defensive centerfielders. Cain’s bat is also quite valuable. In 2017, he hit .300/.363/.440 with 15 home runs. I expect those numbers to improve, since he is moving from a huge ballpark in Kansas City to a hitter-friendly stadium in Milwaukee. Finally, the 32-year old can still beat opposing teams on the base paths. In addition to stealing 26 bags last season, he is known to be an aggressive runner who takes the extra base.
5. Tommy Pham
Pham burst onto the scene last year. In his first full big league season, the 30-year old hit an impressive .306/.411/.520 with 23 home runs and 25 steals across only 128 games. Thanks to this excellent offensive production and solid defense, Pham finished second among his positional peers in WAR (6.4). While it might be risky to rank the Cardinals’ centerfielder so highly after only one good season, his minor league statistics suggest that Pham’s 2017 production was no fluke.
6. Byron Buxton
The Twins’ centerfielder checks every box. Buxton is the fastest player in baseball, according to Statcast and that speed is not wasted. The 24-year old covers a ton of ground in centerfield, leading all outfielders with a 2.8 defensive WAR in 2017. On the bases, Buxton stole 29 bases, while only getting caught once. Although his glove was never in question, there have been concerns about his ability to hit at the big league level. He might have put those doubts to rest in the second half of 2017, hitting .300/.347/.546 to end the season. If Buxton can carry that level of production throughout all of 2018, he will become one the baseball’s best players.
7. Chris Taylor
In continuing with the apparent trend of breakout performers, Taylor capitalized on his opportunity with the Dodgers last season. The 27-year old joined the launch angle revolution in an attempt to jump-start his fledgling career, and it certainly paid off. In 140 games with Los Angeles, Taylor hit .288/.354/.496 with 21 home runs and 17 stolen bases. Don't be surprised if the Dodgers’ centerfielder makes his first all-star game appearance in 2018.
8. Kevin Kiermaier
Kiermaier’s defensive ability has always been top ten worthy, but it was not until 2017 that his bat finally came along. Since 2014, the Rays’ centerfielder ranks second in all of baseball with +90 Defensive Runs saved, only behind Andrelton Simmons. Last season, the 27-year old hit .276/.338/.450 with 15 home runs and 16 steals. Kiermaier will miss the next 8-12 weeks following a recent thumb surgery, but I do not want to remove him from this list since it was created before the injury occurred.
9. Michael Conforto
While probably playing slightly out of position in centerfield, Conforto was still able to produce excellent offensive numbers. Despite only playing in 109 games due to a shoulder injury, the 25-year old hit .279/.384/.555 with 27 home runs. If the Mets’ centerfielder can stay healthy for all of 2018, I would not be shocked by a 40 home run season.
10. Ender Enciarte
The Braves’ centerfielder is known for his glove. He is an elite defender thanks to his ability to cover gap-to-gap. Enciarte also uses this speed on the bases, stealing 22 bags last season. While the 27-year old does not have much power, he hits for average, gets on base and puts the ball in play. A slashline of .304/.350/.409 coupled with his superb defense is worthy of the final spot in this ranking.
Also Considered:
Aaron Hicks - Yankees
Starling Marte - Pirates
Jackie Bradley Jr – Red Sox
AJ Pollock – Diamondbacks
**All WAR stats come from Baseball Reference
Please check back again tomorrow for my top 10 right fielders in 2018.
If you have any questions, comments or criticisms feel free to reach out to me at mattlinder2@gmail.com
The centerfield position has an interesting mix of players. It is spearheaded by an all-time great and followed by a blend of emerging stars and breakout performers. The players ooze with athleticism, making it one of the most exciting positions in baseball. Enjoy!
 |
| Frank Jansky - Icon Sportswire |
1. Mike Trout
Trout is the best player in baseball. Period. He has won two MVPs, finished second three other times (at least two of which he was robbed) and he is only 26 years old. Had he played a full season in 2017, the Angels’ centerfielder would have likely won a third MVP award. It is almost a waste of time to provide the specific stats and slashlines for Trout. Just go to his Baseball Reference page and check out all of the bold print.
 |
| Denis Poroy - Getty Images |
2. Charlie Blackmon
The Rockies’ centerfield was a late bloomer. He didn't become an everyday player until his age 27 season in 2014. Since then, Blackmon has solidified himself as a star. Overall, he hit .331/.399/.601 with 37 home runs last season, but when dissected between home and road splits, there is a stark difference. Away from Coors Field, he only produced a league average slashline of .276/.337/.447. However, Blackmon may not simply be a product of a hitter-friendly home ballpark. In 2016, he was essentially the same hitter both at home and on the road. The 31-year old just signed a lucrative extension to stay in Colorado and hopes to lead the team to another playoff berth in 2018.
 |
| Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports |
3. George Springer
Springer had a breakout season in 2017, culminating in a World Series MVP award. The Astros’ centerfield always boasted impressive tools, but his strikeout totals held him back earlier in his career. Last season, he cut his strikeout rate to an solid 18%. With his new, more patient approach, Springer saw a boost in both batting average and slugging percentage. The 28-year old couples his offensive production with solid defense in centerfield. Despite being the least heralded of the Astros’ Big Three, Springer’s value is certainly on par with Correa and Altuve.
 |
| Jon Willey - Getty Images |
4. Lorenzo Cain
The Brewers’ new centerfield is a triple threat. He can win games with his elite glove, constantly grading out as one of the top defensive centerfielders. Cain’s bat is also quite valuable. In 2017, he hit .300/.363/.440 with 15 home runs. I expect those numbers to improve, since he is moving from a huge ballpark in Kansas City to a hitter-friendly stadium in Milwaukee. Finally, the 32-year old can still beat opposing teams on the base paths. In addition to stealing 26 bags last season, he is known to be an aggressive runner who takes the extra base.
 |
| AP |
5. Tommy Pham
Pham burst onto the scene last year. In his first full big league season, the 30-year old hit an impressive .306/.411/.520 with 23 home runs and 25 steals across only 128 games. Thanks to this excellent offensive production and solid defense, Pham finished second among his positional peers in WAR (6.4). While it might be risky to rank the Cardinals’ centerfielder so highly after only one good season, his minor league statistics suggest that Pham’s 2017 production was no fluke.
 |
| Hannah Foslien - Getty Images |
6. Byron Buxton
The Twins’ centerfielder checks every box. Buxton is the fastest player in baseball, according to Statcast and that speed is not wasted. The 24-year old covers a ton of ground in centerfield, leading all outfielders with a 2.8 defensive WAR in 2017. On the bases, Buxton stole 29 bases, while only getting caught once. Although his glove was never in question, there have been concerns about his ability to hit at the big league level. He might have put those doubts to rest in the second half of 2017, hitting .300/.347/.546 to end the season. If Buxton can carry that level of production throughout all of 2018, he will become one the baseball’s best players.
 |
| Adam Davis - Icon Sportswire |
7. Chris Taylor
In continuing with the apparent trend of breakout performers, Taylor capitalized on his opportunity with the Dodgers last season. The 27-year old joined the launch angle revolution in an attempt to jump-start his fledgling career, and it certainly paid off. In 140 games with Los Angeles, Taylor hit .288/.354/.496 with 21 home runs and 17 stolen bases. Don't be surprised if the Dodgers’ centerfielder makes his first all-star game appearance in 2018.
 |
| Chris Meadera - AP |
8. Kevin Kiermaier
Kiermaier’s defensive ability has always been top ten worthy, but it was not until 2017 that his bat finally came along. Since 2014, the Rays’ centerfielder ranks second in all of baseball with +90 Defensive Runs saved, only behind Andrelton Simmons. Last season, the 27-year old hit .276/.338/.450 with 15 home runs and 16 steals. Kiermaier will miss the next 8-12 weeks following a recent thumb surgery, but I do not want to remove him from this list since it was created before the injury occurred.
 |
| Charles Wenzelberg - NY Post |
9. Michael Conforto
While probably playing slightly out of position in centerfield, Conforto was still able to produce excellent offensive numbers. Despite only playing in 109 games due to a shoulder injury, the 25-year old hit .279/.384/.555 with 27 home runs. If the Mets’ centerfielder can stay healthy for all of 2018, I would not be shocked by a 40 home run season.
 |
| Dale Zanine - USA TODAY Sports |
10. Ender Enciarte
The Braves’ centerfielder is known for his glove. He is an elite defender thanks to his ability to cover gap-to-gap. Enciarte also uses this speed on the bases, stealing 22 bags last season. While the 27-year old does not have much power, he hits for average, gets on base and puts the ball in play. A slashline of .304/.350/.409 coupled with his superb defense is worthy of the final spot in this ranking.
Also Considered:
Aaron Hicks - Yankees
Starling Marte - Pirates
Jackie Bradley Jr – Red Sox
AJ Pollock – Diamondbacks
**All WAR stats come from Baseball Reference
Please check back again tomorrow for my top 10 right fielders in 2018.
If you have any questions, comments or criticisms feel free to reach out to me at mattlinder2@gmail.com
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