MLB's top 10 center fielders in 2020: Trout and Bellinger, a Hollywood MVP double feature

2. CODY BELLINGER, DODGERS

Depending on the unpredictable future of Mookie Betts and if he ever actually plays for the Dodgers or not, this could be Bellinger’s sole season projected as primary center fielder. But regardless of alignment, only Trout surpasses his ability or production among those projected at the position.

Bellinger claimed NL MVP honors via an NL-best 9.1 WAR season that included 47 homers, 121 runs scored and a league-high 351 total bases. He also excelled in both the outfield and at first base, winning his first Gold Glove in right field.

What was most impressive about Bellinger was the maturity he displayed at the plate. His average grew over 40 points to .305, via a far more disciplined eye and management of the strike zone. Bellinger grew his on-base % to .405 from .343, increased his walks by 26 to 95 total and cut his strikeouts substantially to 105 from an average of 149 annually his first two seasons. He still swings with bad intentions every time up; however, he is benefiting from more selective engagements.

3. GEORGE SPRINGER, ASTROS

Springer enjoyed the best all-around year of his career in 2019, hitting a career-best 39 homers, along personal highs in RBI (96) and across his total split line of .292/.383/.591/.974. This came while he was limited to just 122 games, due to a mixture of hamstring and concussion issues. Had he not twice lost this time, Springer could have realistically become the first centerfielder to hit 50 home runs since Andruw Jones in 2005.

Regardless, Springer made his third-straight All-Star selection and finished seventh in AL MVP voting. He is in line to be a massively sought-after free agent this winter, as Houston has some tough financial decisions on the horizon in regards to holding its core together.

4. WHIT MERRIFIELD, ROYALS

Merrifield made his first All-Star appearance in 2019, a season where he led the American League with 206 hits and 10 triples. He also set personal highs with an .811 OPS, 105 runs scored and 315 total bases. While he didn’t lead the AL in stolen bases for a third consecutive season, he did manage to swipe 20 bags on the year.

Although Merrifield made the majority of his starts at second base a year ago, he still made 77 appearances in the outfield. His versatility and price tag (a total of $13 million due through 2022) makes him arguably the game’s greatest value performer.

5. LORENZO CAIN, BREWERS

After a top 10 finish in NL MVP voting the prior year, Cain’s production at the plate tailed off in 2019. His OPS dropped over 100 points to .697, stolen bases declined from 30 to 18, OPS+ fell back from 119 to 81 and his .325 on-base percentage ranked 36^th among all outfielders who qualified for the batting title.

Where Cain did not erode however was with the glove, where he won the game’s longest overdue Gold Glove. He ranked second among center fielders in both defensive runs saved with 22 and with a 2.4 defensive WAR. He is not quite a defense-only type yet, but a turnaround at the plate would be timely.

6. Starling Marte, Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks outbid the Mets among others to land Marte this winter, who was the most prized piece of the Pirates’ retooling effort. Arizona will add one of the game’s most consistent contributors in the process to the heart of its outfield. He produced a .295/.342/.503 split in 2019, coupled with 23 home runs, 31 doubles and 97 runs scored. Marte’s 25 stolen bases marked the seventh straight season he bested 20 swipes.

7. RAMON LAUREANO, ATHLETICS

Few are as capable of creating excitement as often or in as many different ways as the 25-year-old, who came on in a big way last season. He hit .288 with 24 home runs and 13 stolen bases, but in a consistently thrilling manner. In the field, he unleashed perhaps the game’s best center field arm to the tone of 10 assists, including two double plays. Although he is prone to getting a bit too excited at times  — as his league-high seven errors indicate — the ‘Laser Show’ is a thrilling bundle of ability to behold.

8. VICTOR ROBLES, NATIONALS

At just 22, Robles’ 2.7 dWAR was tops among all outfielders, while his 12 assists led all center fielders and were the third-most overall. But the most stunning part of Robles’ game is just how wide-spanning his range truly seems. He doesn’t have to make a ton of diving or sprawling catches, simply because he is so fast that he gets to everything with time to spare. His 29.3 60-yard-dash speed makes him the fastest outfielder in the game and contributed to his 28 stolen bases as well.

9. AARON HICKS, YANKEES

When he’s healthy, Hicks’ production would easily slot him within the top five of this group. He produced an .874 OPS between the first half of 2017 and with the 2018 campaign combined, totaling 37 homers, 130 runs scored along with a .260/.382/.491 split line over 197 games. However, the run has twice been interrupted by significant injuries, first an oblique injury in 2017, then an elbow issue that required Tommy John surgery, which ended his 2019 as well.

10. Kevin Kiermaier, Rays

There are several players (such as Byron Buxton and Jackie Bradley Jr.) that fall into a similar range as Kiermaier; glove-first, speed types that bring little to the plate, but save it with their defensive abilities. Kiermaier picked up his third Gold Glove Award in 2019, while his 48 defensive runs saved are tops among all center fielders since 2017. Most remarkably, he’s accomplished that while notching triple-digit games played only once.

Conversely, his .706 OPS is sixth-lowest among center fielders with at least 1,200 at-bats over the past three seasons.

Left on Deck: David Dahl (Rockies), Oscar Mercado (Indians), Jackie Bradley Jr (Red Sox)

Top Prospects: Luis Robert (White Sox #3), Jared Kelenic (Mariners, #11), Cristian Pache (Braves, #13)