Spring training sessions are now in progress, which signals the moment to examine the current condition of baseball. As an element of our 2026 MLB season outlook, ESPN’s Buster Olney polled individuals across the industry to assist him in classifying the leading 10 athletes at each position, forming his yearly positional assessment collection.
Today, we evaluate the elite of the elite in center field.
The purpose of this exercise is to pinpoint the premier players for the 2026 campaign, not to speculate on who might excel in five years or throughout their entire career. We will unveil one position daily over the upcoming two weeks. Here is the remaining agenda: starting pitchers (Feb. 16), relief pitchers (Feb. 17), catchers (Feb. 18), first basemen (Feb. 19), second basemen (Feb. 20), third basemen (Monday), shortstops (Tuesday), corner outfielders (Wednesday), designated hitters (Friday).
Byron Buxton recently concluded his most robust campaign — possibly his finest — since 2017, firmly establishing himself within our elite 10 center fielders. Nevertheless, the 32-year-old finds himself in a peculiar baseball limbo, which one might call existence alongside the Minnesota Twins.
Over the last three years, the Twins have drastically cut their budget by roughly 35%, reaching $106 million. This reduction followed their decision to divest a substantial number of athletes at the 2025 trade deadline, culminating in a season with 92 defeats. Tom Pohlad has now assumed control as the Twins’ principal owner and recently conveyed the organization’s fresh directive: He aims for triumph this very year.
As is customary with all new proprietors, Pohlad appears to be navigating a learning phase. As this past offseason commenced, industry observers anticipated Minnesota would persist with last summer’s dismantling, potentially trading Joe Ryan and perhaps Buxton, following the profound fiscal reductions. However, early in the cold season, the team effectively withdrew Ryan from trade consideration, driven by the contradictory notion that it aspired to compete this year. Subsequently, mere weeks before the commencement of spring training, Derek Falvey, Minnesota’s head of baseball operations, departed the organization due to divergent philosophies.
Typically, a franchise undergoing such a significant shift would transfer a player like Buxton, who is contractually owed approximately $50 million over the subsequent three years. Yet, Buxton possesses a no-trade clause, and he has been informed by Pohlad that the Twins intend to strive for victory. Should Buxton remain, he would likely spend the prime portion of his career observing others contend in October.
However, perspectives can evolve. If the roster’s reality materializes this summer — preceding what might be a costly labor dispute when the current Collective Bargaining Agreement concludes in the winter — Pohlad could attempt to move Buxton’s agreement, and Buxton might reconsider his stance, request a transfer to a contender, and waive his no-trade clause. He has mentioned that, while he expresses a desire to stay, the individuals in authority within the Twins’ establishment have not explicitly and vociferously stated that Buxton will not be transferred.
“All it requires is for someone at the apex to communicate to the press — ‘We are not trading you,'” Buxton informed The Athletic (among others) upon his arrival at the Twins’ spring training facility. “Transfer rumors cease.”
Until that occurs, Buxton will continue to drift toward an uncertain future, recognized as one of MLB’s premier center fielders. Presented here are the leading 10.
Premier 10 Center Fielders
1. Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners
Having just reached 25 years of age, he appears poised to transition from a prominent figure to something even greater. Rodriguez registered an OPS of .900 subsequent to the All-Star break last season, achieving a slugging percentage of .560 while connecting for 18 of his 32 home runs during that period. He still seems to be acquiring knowledge, as numerous young athletes do, on how to adapt to the successive waves of opposing hurlers who participate in games during this contemporary era. He performed exceptionally well against starting pitchers last year, generating an .858 OPS, but did not achieve nearly the same level of success against relief pitchers, recording a .701 OPS with six homers across 277 plate appearances.
2. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs
His monthly offensive output last season varied from an almost 1.000 OPS (.984 in July) to below .500 (.446 in August). Nevertheless, throughout this time, he distinguished himself as an exceptional defender and base runner, accumulating 72 extra-base hits (including 31 home runs), 35 stolen bases, 91 runs, and 6.0 WAR. Cubs manager Craig Counsell indicated last season that PCA might be the finest overall defender in baseball. While Ceddanne Rafaela, Patrick Bailey, and Bobby Witt Jr. each could lay some claim to that distinction, Crow-Armstrong’s influence for his pitchers is undeniable. PCA’s pronounced disparities versus left-handers and right-handers pose a concern:
Vs. right-handers: .271/.315/.523
Vs. lefties: .188/.217/.372
3. Daulton Varsho, Toronto Blue Jays
Across the 71 contests he participated in during the 2025 regular season, Varsho recorded 35 extra-base hits, comprising 20 home runs, and achieved a personal-best OPS+ of 122. He consistently ranks among the top defenders at this specific position; if PCA’s forte lies in gracefully covering the gaps, Varsho appears to excel at retreating to the warning track and executing plays near the barrier.
4. Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
He devastated left-handed pitching last year, unleashing a .676 slugging percentage across 123 plate appearances. Both his triumphs and his challenges were mirrored in the Twins’ victories and defeats: Buxton hit .332/.396/.692 in Twins’ wins last year but only .213/.272/.444 in the losses during which he participated. Of his 126 games last year, he patrolled center field in 118.
5. Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres
Merrill was placed on the injured reserve list three distinct times last season, battling hamstring, concussion, and ankle ailments in his sophomore year in the major leagues. Despite these setbacks, he still managed to post respectable statistics. He achieved a .774 OPS and an adjusted OPS of 112, amassing 47 extra-base hits and tallying 59 runs over 117 games. With a complete, healthy year, he might very well challenge Rodriguez for the premier position on this list next year.
6. Ceddanne Rafaela, Boston Red Sox
His propensity for aggressive — at times, even reckless — swinging can occasionally overshadow just how exceptional an athlete
he can be. Rafaela had a strikeout-to-base-on-balls proportion of approximately 4:1 last season, for an on-base rate of .295, but he possesses significant power (54 extra-base hits) and swiftness (20 stolen bases). He courageously patrols center field at Fenway Park, consequently, he is justifiably considered among the premier defenders in baseball.
7. Trent Grisham, New York Yankees
It’s somewhat astonishing how much discussion arose regarding whether the Yankees would present a qualifying offer to Grisham, given he performed capably for them last season — accumulating 3.5 WAR, demonstrating robust power, an adjusted OPS of 125, and respectable defense. Moreover, as the adage states, a one-year agreement is never truly poor, particularly for affluent organizations such as the Yankees. Skipper Aaron Boone will likely shield Grisham from southpaw pitchers, against whom he batted .182 in the previous season. Should one presume his impressive 2025 home run statistics were inflated by Yankee Stadium, that assumption would be incorrect: 22 of his 35 long balls occurred away from home.
8. Michael Harris II, Atlanta Braves
His performance trend is not as desired:
2022: 5.1 WAR
2023: 3.5 WAR
2024: 3.2 WAR
2025: 2.2 WAR
Harris approaches his 25th birthday, suggesting this year is crucial for him to find consistency, which likely necessitates enhanced plate discipline. In the past year, he recorded 16 bases on balls and 128 strikeouts — a 0.13 walk-to-strikeout proportion, the lowest among the 145 batters eligible for the batting championship. He maintains strong fielding prowess, positioned seventh among center fielders in defensive runs saved and outs above average.
9. Luis Robert Jr., New York Mets
The Mets’ investment in Robert could serve as the most indicative measure of the team’s campaign: They have faith in his potential, evident in 2023, when he slugged 38 home runs and swiped 20 bases. However, that marked his sole season — in a career commencing in 2020 — where Robert participated in over 110 contests. During the previous year, Robert faced difficulties against power throwers (as classified by Baseball Reference), posting a .193 batting average with a .337 slugging percentage.
10. Andy Pages, Los Angeles Dodgers
Pages was progressing towards a truly excellent season, hitting .280 with 19 home runs by August 12, yet he faltered during the latter part of the season and into the playoffs, thus the Dodgers anticipate a strong rebound from him at the start of the year.
Commendable mentions
Colton Cowser, Baltimore Orioles: He managed 3.1 WAR across 153 games in 2024, blasting 24 home runs, though ailments sidelined him last year.
Jake Meyers, Houston Astros: Meyers demonstrated exceptional skill at reaching base last year, achieving a .354 OBP and 16 stolen bases.
TJ Friedl, Cincinnati Reds: He produced an OPS+ of 106, surpassing the league average, across 152 appearances.
Cedric Mullins, Tampa Bay Rays: He appeared to struggle with comfort following his trade from the Orioles to the Mets last season. He promptly re-inked a deal to compete in the AL East and might re-enter the free agent market next offseason.
Jakob Marsee, Miami Marlins: Summoned at the start of August, Marsee delivered two notable months, achieving an OPS+ of 132, tallying 18 doubles and five home runs in 234 plate appearances, and swiping 14 bases. Paul Hembekides scrutinized the fundamental statistics and expressed these reservations: “He recorded a .357 BABIP in the big leagues and .297 in the minors, indicating extraordinary batted-ball fortune. PECOTA forecasts a .235/.324/.374 slash line for him this season.”
Brenton Doyle, Colorado Rockies: With a fresh front office established in Colorado, this might be a pivotal year for Doyle, a formidable defender who genuinely had difficulty hitting last year, registering an OPS+ of 72.
Sal Frelick, Milwaukee Brewers: Jackson Chourio saw the most action in center field for Milwaukee, yet Frelick also appeared in some contests there, and we desired to place Frelick within the top 10 rankings. He achieved 3-WAR status last year, enjoying another consistent season of reaching base (more than 200 times) alongside some power and swiftness.
Nathan Lukes, Toronto Blue Jays: Similar to Frelick, it appears Lukes, who occasionally manned center field last year while Varsho was injured, merits acknowledgment on one of these compilations.
Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates: This is a critical year for him, as he approaches his second arbitration hearing. He participated in 135 games last year, accumulating 0.3 WAR, with a batting line of .200/.298/.378.