The center fielder food chain has seen significant changes over the last three years. Former infielders have moved to center field, while others have taken to other positions for organizational needs. So, who are the top 10 best center fielders in baseball heading into the 2025 MLB campaign? Here’s our list, starting with a former 30-30 player.
10. Cedric Mullins
We’ll start with Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins, the former 30-30 man who hasn’t been able to replicate what he did in 2021 since then. Nonetheless, the 30-year-old has been a highly productive player for the O’s.
Mullins stole 32 bases last season, the third time in four years he swiped 30+ in a single season. Among players who played at least 50% of their games at center from 2023-24, Mullins ranked sixth (51) in that category. Mullins finished just outside the top ten in home runs (33) and total bases (348).
The 30-year-old has also been a strong defender in center. He recorded a cumulative +10 Outs Above Average (OAA) between 2023-24.
9. Oneil Cruz
Between several notable players who’ve moved off center — and individuals who’ve moved to the position — this list is somewhat heavy on ex-infielders. One such name who makes this is Oneil Cruz, the shortstop-turned-outfielder. The move paid off nearly instant dividends, as Cruz posted a +2 Outs Above Average in center after the move.
Cruz’s bat has (mostly) never been in question. The 26-year-old has plus-plus power and ranked among the top of the league in Barrel% (15.7%). Cruz only hit 21 home runs last season, though, despite staying healthy. The Pirate tends to hit the ball on the ground often. Still, the 2024 campaign was Cruz’s first 20-20 campaign.
Fielding, however, has been a major question mark for Cruz. Despite plus speed and a premium arm, the 6’7” Cruz never looked comfortable at short, a position that requires fast feet and instincts. Now in center, Cruz’s life should be somewhat easier.
8. Tommy Edman
Speaking of infielders, another one on this list is Tommy Edman. Edman saw some time in center with the Cardinals but shifted to a primary outfield role with the Dodgers after Los Angeles acquired him last summer. It worked relatively well, as he posted a +1 OAA, one year after recording a +5 OAA in center as a utilityman.
The 29-year-old Edman isn’t an elite hitter; his career-high OPS is .724, which came in 2022. Still, Edman’s speed and ability to put the ball in play can wreak havoc on opposing teams. He generally posts above-average strikeout rates and from 2022-23, Edman stole 59 bases.
Edman spent most of October at shortstop, covering for an injured Miguel Rojas. But for 2025, expect Edman to get the bulk of his time in center.
7. Byron Buxton
For just the second time in his 10-year Major League career, Byron Buxton played more than 100 games in a regular season. It’s astounding to write that but it’s because of a long list of injuries that’ve limited the #2 draft pick in 2012. But when Buxton was healthy, the 31-year-old was a difference-maker for the Twins.
Buxton posted a 3.6 bWAR, as he slashed .279/.335/.524 (.859 OPS) with 18 home runs. The 31-year-old stayed back on breaking balls better, as his average against those pitches rose to .295 in 2024 after batting less than .200 off them a year earlier. And, Buxton’s defense (+3 OAA) was also a plus. The Twins regularly used Buxton in center in 2024, after their experiment to limit him to DH to keep him healthy failed.
It’s hard to find center fielders who can truly change the game with their bat or glove. Buxton can do just that. However, staying healthy is the true key for the star Twins outfielder.
6. Cody Bellinger
New Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger was, statistically, one of the best offensive center fielders from 2023-24. Bellinger ranked fourth in home runs (44) and total bases (482), third in runs scored (167) and OBP (.340), and tied for second in total hits (290). However, the 2024 campaign wasn’t his best.
Granted, last season was significantly better than his last two seasons as a Dodger. However, his OPS dipped over 100 points to .751. Bellinger is a mercurial figure, as he’s got plus raw power, likes to pull the ball, and possesses above-average speed. However, he’ll keep things simple in two-strike counts and ranked below-average in bat speed.
The former Gold Glove winner will spell Aaron Judge in center, as Judge moves back to right field for 2025.
5. Brenton Doyle
Generally speaking, baseball’s premium defenders in center field right now aren’t big-time bats. Brenton Doyle, though, bucked the trend in 2024. The Rockies outfielder had a significantly better sophomore season at the dish in 2024, as Doyle hit 23 home runs and stole 30 bases for Colorado. He was arguably Colorado’s best player in 2024, given he finished second on the team in home runs and OPS (.764).
It contrasted from 2023 when Doyle slashed .203/.250/.343 (.593 OPS) over 431 plate appearances. Much of his problems came down to whiffs and strikeouts, as his 35% K% rate in 2023 ranked in the bottom 1% of MLB. Doyle still had strikeout troubles in 2024. But, he cut the K% down to 25.4%.
The one constant in Doyle’s game has been defense. Doyle is a premium athlete and his elite speed certainly gives him an edge defensively in center. No player in center over the last two seasons had a better OAA (+31) than Doyle.
4. Jackson Merrill
The Padres promoted Jackson Merrill from Double-A to the Majors for Opening Day in South Korea last March. Merrill never looked back, as the ex-shortstop seamlessly moved to center field. Not only did he tie Kevin Kiermaier for the seventh-best OAA (+11) among center fielders but his bat propelled him to finish behind Paul Skenes for the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
Merrill slashed .292/.326/.500 (.826 OPS) with 24 home runs, 90 RBI, and nabbed 16 stolen bases, as well. Among primary center fielders in 2024, only Aaron Judge had more home runs than Merrill, and he finished third in total bases behind Judge and Jarren Duran (who we categorized as a left fielder for our power rankings).
The 21-year-old proved to be quite the find for the Padres, who drafted him in the first round four years ago out of high school in Maryland. Merrill received one of the lowest signing bonuses among first-round picks that year — but has become one of the most notable impact players from that draft.
3. Luis Robert Jr.
White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. would have easily ranked in the top-two had 2024 been a better campaign. Robert Jr. was sidelined for parts of last season thanks to a hip strain, the fourth-consecutive season he landed on the IL. When on the field, Robert Jr. hit .224/.278/.379 (.657 OPS) with 14 home runs and 33 extra-base hits.
It was a fry cry from 2023, a year that saw Robert Jr. perform like the superstar many expected him to be five years ago. Robert Jr. blasted a career-best 38 home runs and 75 extra-base hits in 2023, along with 20 stolen bases.
Dating back to his rookie season in 2020, Robert Jr.’s shown all five tools. However, it all comes down to health. Over the last four years, the White Sox outfielder played 100+ games in two.
2. Michael Harris II
The Braves are blessed with a deep outfield, thanks in part to Michael Harris II. The 23-year-old made an immediate impact three years ago as a rookie and didn’t slow down afterward. Among batters with at least 1,000 PA from 2023-24, Harris II ranked fourth in SLG (.450), as the Georgia native hit at least 16 home runs and 30 extra-base hits in all three seasons.
Harris II likely could have had better cumulative numbers last season, had the 23-year-old not spent time on the IL with a hamstring problem. However, Harris II made up for lost time in September. Harris II hit eight home runs over the final month of the regular season, plus added another one in the 2024 MLB Postseason.
The 23-year-old is a strong defender in his own right. Harris II has a career OAA of +22, significantly better than the defensive production Ronald Acuna Jr. gave the Braves in center.
1. Julio Rodriguez
The top spot goes to Julio Rodriguez, the 24-year-old star who posted his third-consecutive 20-20 season in 2024. However, it wasn’t a clean season from “J-Rod,” given his first half. Rodriguez posted a .690 OPS in the first half before coming around later on in the year. He ended 2024 strong, with a .322 AVG (.895 OPS) with seven home runs in September.
Rodriguez is one of the game’s most dynamic players. There’s little to dispute that notion. The Mariners started ranked high in batted-ball metrics and sprint speed. However, Rodriguez’s big issue has been the chases and whiffs. Although, it hasn’t affected his strikeout or average too much.
As for Rodriguez’s defense, the 24-year-old has a powerful arm and great range in center. His +8 OAA ranked tied for 13th-best in the Majors, along with Michael Harris II.
Make sure to check our power rankings for the best left fielders and shortstops.