MLB · 5 months ago

Who is MLB’s Best All-Around Center Fielder Right Now?

SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

Host · Writer

Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs were patient with Pete Crow-Armstrong’s glove-first profile — and it’s paying off in a big way in 2025. After an underwhelming cup of coffee and a tough rookie year with the bat, PCA has turned Wrigley into his personal highlight reel.

His 11 FRV ranks second at the position, but the real story is the slugging surge. He’s launched 21 homers, driven in 61 runs, and tops all MLB center fielders with a .556 slugging clip.

From doubted prospect to cleanup bat, Crow-Armstrong is looking like a franchise cornerstone for Chicago’s next run at October.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
A New Era of Center fielders
The gold standard for playing center field in today’s game is more than just making highlight-reel grabs or logging sprint speed on Statcast. The modern elite center fielder combines spectacular defense with real thump at the plate — a combo every contender craves up the middle.

From breakout Chicago Cubs phenom Pete Crow-Armstrong to the Boston Red Sox defensive dynamo Ceddanne Rafaela, these five outfielders are setting the bar in the grass and at the dish.

Let’s break down who’s flashing leather and slugging their way into the conversation for the game’s best two-way center fielder.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis and insights for this slideshow article.
Andy Pages, Los Angeles Dodgers
Andy Pages is doing damage in Chavez Ravine and beyond. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ second-year spark plug ranks top-five defensively (8 FRV) while swinging one of the loudest bats among MLB center fielders.

Pages owns a .507 slugging percentage and is hitting just shy of .300 with 16 long balls already on the board. While he shifts around the outfield, his arm and pop have cemented him as a legit force up the middle for LA’s loaded lineup.

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Ceddanne Rafaela, Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela quietly tops them all defensively. Statcast has Rafaela leading MLB center fielders with 12 FRV, tracking down rockets few can reach.

While his stick hasn’t matched the same elite level — eight homers and an 11th-ranked .406 slugging along CFs — Rafaela’s glove alone makes him an everyday impact piece in Boston’s mix.

If the power ticks up, watch out.

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Daulton Varsho, Toronto Blue Jays
When healthy, Daulton Varsho is among baseball’s surest gloves in center. His trophy case proves it — Gold Glove, multiple Fielding Bible honors, and a reputation for plays that defy physics.

Even better? He’s rediscovered his big bat.

Limited by injuries to just 100 plate appearances, Varsho has still hammered eight home runs with a robust .543 slugging mark. The Toronto Blue Jays will gladly take the power-speed-defense package whenever he’s in the lineup.
Julio Rodríguez, Seattle Mariners
Julio Rodríguez has turned his defensive craft into an art in the Seattle Mariners' spacious outfield. He trails only PCA and Rafaela with 10 FRV and ranks fourth in outs above average (9 OAA). Offensively, the power is proven — with 28- and 32-homer seasons already under his belt.

While he’s hit a cold patch this June (just one homer in his last 20 games), the two-time Silver Slugger remains one of the toughest outs and best all-around center fielders when locked in.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs were patient with Pete Crow-Armstrong’s glove-first profile — and it’s paying off in a big way in 2025. After an underwhelming cup of coffee and a tough rookie year with the bat, PCA has turned Wrigley into his personal highlight reel.

His 11 FRV ranks second at the position, but the real story is the slugging surge. He’s launched 21 homers, driven in 61 runs, and tops all MLB center fielders with a .556 slugging clip.

From doubted prospect to cleanup bat, Crow-Armstrong is looking like a franchise cornerstone for Chicago’s next run at October.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
A New Era of Center fielders
The gold standard for playing center field in today’s game is more than just making highlight-reel grabs or logging sprint speed on Statcast. The modern elite center fielder combines spectacular defense with real thump at the plate — a combo every contender craves up the middle.

From breakout Chicago Cubs phenom Pete Crow-Armstrong to the Boston Red Sox defensive dynamo Ceddanne Rafaela, these five outfielders are setting the bar in the grass and at the dish.

Let’s break down who’s flashing leather and slugging their way into the conversation for the game’s best two-way center fielder.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis and insights for this slideshow article.

Who is MLB’s Best All-Around Center Fielder Right Now?

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