15 Best Center Fielders in MLB History, Ranked

An elite center fielder is the most all-around talented player on their team. The candidates to be included among the best center fielders in MLB history are all brilliant athletes, with the ability to cover distance in the outfield and hit at a high level. 

15 Best Center Fielders in MLB History, Ranked

Who Are the Greatest Major League Baseball Center Fielders  Ever?

1. Willie Mays

There was no question over who was going to top these rankings. Willie Mays is arguably the greatest player in baseball history. Mays, a true five-tool superstar, posted 149.8 career fWAR, hit 660 home runs, and stole 338 bases, while playing spectacular center field defence.

2. Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle’s numbers would be similar to Mays’ if injury didn’t cut his career short. Mantle still posted more than 110 fWAR with 536 home runs and won seven World Series. 

3. Ty Cobb

The career leader in batting average, Ty Cobb won 12 batting titles and was by far the best hitter in baseball between 1907 and 1918. Cobb played in 24 big-league seasons, amassing 149.1 fWAR in the process.

4. Tris Speaker

Joining Mays, Mantle, and Cobb with more than 100 fWAR, Tris Speaker had a very long peak. Speaker averaged 7.4 bWAR per season from 1909 until 1925 and had a 165 OPS+ over that period.

5. Joe DiMaggio

Joe DiMaggio lost three years of his prime to military service, but still posted 82.6 fWAR and won three MVPs. He had a .989 OPS between 1939 and 1949. 

6. Mike Trout

Despite Mike Trout being the best player in baseball throughout the 2010s, the Los Angeles Angels were usually outsiders in World Series odds. Trout, a three-time MVP, has the second-best wRC+ of center fielders to play over 1,000 regular-season games. 

7. Ken Griffey Jr.

One of the most universally adored players in baseball history, Ken Griffey Jr. was a superstar from the moment he made his MLB debut in 1989. Griffey went on to win MVP in 1997 and was named an All-Star on 13 occasions.

8. Billy Hamilton

Billy Hamilton led the majors in stolen bases in five seasons and led the majors in walks in four campaigns. Hamilton averaged 92.9 stolen bases per 162 games and has the eighth-highest fWAR among center fielders. 

9. Larry Doby

Between 1946 and 1958, Larry Doby amassed 55.7 bWAR and had a 141 OPS+. He hit for power and average, and finished as AL MVP runner-up in 1954. 

10. Duke Snider

Overshadowed by Mays in the Dodgers-Giants rivalry, Duke Snider put together a Hall of Fame career and has the 14th-highest fWAR among center fielders. Snider hit more than 400 home runs and won two World Series. 

11. Jim Edmonds

Considering he had a 141 OPS+ and averaged 5.1 bWAR per season between 1995 and 2005, Jim Edmonds was unfortunate to only be selected to four All-Star games. Edmonds was an elite defender in center and possessed a great eye with a 12.1% career walk rate.

12. Kenny Lofton

The majority of Kenny Lofton’s value came from his speed and defence. He stole 622 bases in his career and won four Gold Gloves. 

13. Andrew McCutchen

A perennial baseball betting favourite for MVP in his prime, Andrew McCutchen had four consecutive top-three finishes, including winning the honour in 2013. While he stopped being an MVP candidate by 2016, McCutchen has remained a useful player and had a 116 OPS+ between 2017 and 2021. 

14. Turkey Stearnes

Across a 17-year career, Turkey Stearnes had a 173 wRC+, which is higher than any other player on this list. Stearnes only played 986 games, however, leaving him 20th in fWAR. 

15. Carlos Beltran

Tenth in fWAR among center fielders and a nine-time All-Star, 15th might seem a bit harsh on Carlos Beltran. He only had three seasons with an OPS+ higher than 133, though, and had only one season with a top-eight MVP placing.