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Buster Olney
Multiple Authors
Spring training camps are in motion, signaling a time to assess the state of baseball. In our 2026 MLB season preview, ESPN’s Buster Olney consulted various industry figures to create his annual positional ranking series, identifying the top 10 players at every position.
Today, we spotlight the elite center fielders.
The aim of this analysis is to pinpoint the best players for the upcoming 2026 season, rather than predicting long-term success or potential. Over the next fortnight, we will reveal one position each day, starting with starting pitchers on Feb. 16, followed by relief pitchers (Feb. 17), catchers (Feb. 18), first basemen (Feb. 19), second basemen (Feb. 20), third basemen (Monday), shortstops (Tuesday), corner outfielders (Wednesday), and designated hitters (Friday).
Byron Buxton is entering his healthiest, and possibly his most outstanding, season since 2017, firmly placing him among our top 10 center fielders. yet, at 32, he finds himself in an awkward position, often described as life with the Minnesota Twins.
The Twins have reduced their payroll by approximately 35% over the past three years, now sitting at $106 million, following a significant player clearance at the trade deadline in 2025 during a season marked by 92 losses. Tom Pohlad has taken over as controlling owner, recently emphasizing his desire to achieve success this year.
As is common with new ownership, a learning period appears to be unfolding for Pohlad. As the offseason began, many in the industry speculated that the Twins would continue last summer’s dismantling and trade Joe Ryan and possibly Buxton, in light of the drastic budget cuts. yet, early in the winter, the organization removed Ryan from the trading block, driven by an incongruous desire to contend this year. Just weeks before spring training, Derek Falvey, head of baseball operations, left the organization due to differing philosophies.
Generally, a franchise undergoing such a significant transition would likely trade a valuable asset like Buxton, who is owed roughly $50 million over the next three years. yet, with a no-trade clause and assurances from Pohlad about the Twins’ intent to compete, Buxton finds himself in a precarious situation. If he stays, he may spend the prime of his career sidelined from postseason action.
Yet, perspectives can change. Should the situation this summer suggest a different reality—especially with a potentially expensive labor dispute looming as the current CBA expires—Pohlad might consider moving Buxton’s contract. In that scenario, Buxton might seek a trade to a contender and waive his no-trade clause. He has noted that while he expresses a desire to remain, the Twins’ leadership has not definitively stated that he won’t be traded.
“All it takes is for someone at the top to go to the media — ‘We’re not trading you,'” Buxton shared with The Athletic after arriving at spring training. “Trade rumors cease.”
Until that affirmation arrives, Buxton will continue to face an uncertain future as one of MLB’s premier center fielders. Below are the top 10.
Top 10 center fielders
1. Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners
At just 25, Rodriguez appears set to transition from star to something even greater. Post-All-Star break, he achieved an OPS of .900, with a slugging percentage of .560 and 18 of his 32 homers. Like many young players, he’s still mastering the adjustments needed against diverse pitching styles. even if he excelled against starting pitchers with an .858 OPS, relievers posed more of a challenge, resulting in a .701 OPS with six homers over 277 plate appearances.
2. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs
Last season, his offensive performance fluctuated widely—from a near 1.000 OPS (.984 in July) to under .500 (.446 in August)—but he remained a standout defender and baserunner, achieving 72 extra-base hits (including 31 home runs), 35 steals, 91 runs, and 6.0 WAR. Cubs manager Craig Counsell previously indicated that PCA might be baseball’s top overall defender, and while he’s in company with Ceddanne Rafaela, Patrick Bailey, and Bobby Witt Jr., Crow-Armstrong’s significance to his pitchers is indisputable. Yet, his performance against lefties presents a concern:
Vs. right-handers: .271/.315/.523
Vs. lefties: .188/.217/.372
3. Daulton Varsho, Toronto Blue Jays
In 71 games last season, Varsho logged 35 extra-base hits, including 20 homers, and posted a career-best OPS+ of 122. He remains one of the premier defenders at this position; while PCA glides into gaps, Varsho excels at making plays near the warning track.
4. Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
He dominated left-handed pitching last season, achieving a .676 slugging percentage in 123 plate appearances. His performance mirrored the Twins’ success: Buxton hit .332/.396/.692 in victories, but only .213/.272/.444 in losses during which he played. Out of 126 games, 118 were in center field.
5. Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres
although dealing with injuries last season (hamstring, concussion, and ankle), Merrill achieved respectable numbers with a .774 OPS and an adjusted OPS of 112, tallying 47 extra-base hits and scoring 59 runs in 117 games. Given a full, healthy season, he may soon contend with Rodriguez for the top spot on this list.
6. Ceddanne Rafaela, Boston Red Sox
Rafaela’s aggressive swing can detract from his skills. Last season, he had a strikeout-to-walk ratio near 4-to-1 and an on-base percentage of .295. yet, he possesses power (54 extra-base hits) and speed (20 stolen bases), playing center field in Fenway Park with confidence, thus placing him in the discussion for best defender in MLB.
7. Trent Grisham, New York Yankees
Debate surrounded the Yankees’ decision on whether to extend a qualifying offer to Grisham, who performed well last season with 3.5 WAR, solid power, and an adjusted OPS of 125, alongside decent defense. The adage goes that there’s no bad one-year contract, particularly for high-revenue teams like the Yankees. Manager Aaron Boone will likely shield Grisham from left-handers, against whom he struggled last season, posting a .182 average. And if you presumed that Grisham’s impressive 2025 power numbers were inflated by Yankee Stadium, you’d be mistaken: 22 of his 35 home runs came on the road.
8. Michael Harris II, Atlanta Braves
His trajectory in production hasn’t met expectations:
2022: 5.1 WAR
2023: 3.5 WAR
2024: 3.2 WAR
2025: 2.2 WAR
As he turns 25, this year is critical for Harris to establish stability, which likely requires enhanced plate discipline. Last season, he recorded only 16 walks against 128 strikeouts, maintaining a 0.13 walk-to-strikeout ratio—the worst among 145 hitters qualifying for the batting title. Nevertheless, he’s a solid fielder, ranking seventh among center fielders in defensive runs saved and outs above average.
9. Luis Robert Jr., New York Mets
The Mets’ investment in Robert serves as a significant indicator of their season’s outlook: they trust in his potential, evidenced by his standout 2023, where he hit 38 home runs and stole 20 bases. yet, throughout his career starting in 2020, that was his sole season playing more than 110 games. Last year, Robert struggled against power pitchers (per Baseball Reference), batting .193 with a .337 slugging percentage.
10. Andy Pages, Los Angeles Dodgers
Pages was on track for an excellent season, batting .280 with 19 homers up until Aug. 12. yet, he faltered in the later stages and during the postseason, prompting the Dodgers to hope for his early season resurgence.
Honorable mentions
Colton Cowser, Baltimore Orioles: He contributed 3.1 WAR in 153 games in 2024, hitting 24 homers, but injuries sidelined him last year.
Jake Meyers, Houston Astros: Meyers excelled at getting on base last season, boasting a .354 OBP and 16 stolen bases.
TJ Friedl, Cincinnati Reds: He produced an above-average OPS+ of 106 over 152 games.
Cedric Mullins, Tampa Bay Rays: After moving from the Orioles to the Mets last season, he never appeared comfortable. He quickly re-signed in the AL East and may hit the market again next offseason.
Jakob Marsee, Miami Marlins: Called up in early August, Marsee had two impressive months, achieving an OPS+ of 132, with 18 doubles and five homers in 234 plate appearances and 14 stolen bases. Analyst Paul Hembekides pointed out concerns regarding his underlying metrics: “He had a .357 BABIP in the majors versus .297 in the minors, indicating substantial batted-ball luck. PECOTA projects a .235/.324/.374 line this year.”
Brenton Doyle, Colorado Rockies: With a new front office in Colorado, this year may be pivotal for Doyle, a strong defender who struggled at the plate last year with an OPS+ of 72.
Sal Frelick, Milwaukee Brewers: Jackson Chourio saw the most time in center field for Milwaukee, but Frelick also made appearances there, and he warranted inclusion in the top 10 discussion. He was a 3-WAR player last season, regularly getting on base (over 200 times) and adding power and speed.
Nathan Lukes, Toronto Blue Jays: in the same way to Frelick, Lukes, who played center field some last year while Varsho was injured, deserves recognition.
Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates: This is a crucial year for him as he approaches his second round through arbitration. He participated in 135 games last year and registered merely 0.3 WAR, with a batting line of .200/.298/.378.
