Tomorrow's All-Stars: Predicting the 10 Best Center Fielders in 5 Years
Center field is home to the most dynamic athletes on the diamond.
It's also home to some of the best all-around prospects in the minor leagues. From Byron Buxton to Albert Almora, the center fielders who crack this top 10 aren't just the best players at their position but some of the most promising future stars in all of baseball.
The fourth installment of this series known as 'Tomorrow's All-Stars" searches through the minors to find the players who will be the most dangerous center fielders in five years' time. Buxton, who headlines the list, is the No. 1 prospect in the game, per MLB.com. However, the right-handed hitter is just one of five players from the top 50 who made the grade for this countdown.
A Quick Look Back
1 of 13Back in the spring, Part I of this series dug through the minor leagues to find the most promising catchers and infielders of the future:
Part II of the series has begun by taking a look at some of the future stars on the mound and in the outfield:
A Word on the Criteria
2 of 13You won't find Andrew McCutchen or Carlos Gomez on this list. You won't find any center fielders who have already made the major leagues because the purpose of this series is to focus on the prospects.
Of course, big leaguers like McCutchen and Gomez will still be playing at an All-Star level in five years' time. So, here are a few of the center fielders who would have made that grade had they been eligible.
- Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee Brewers
- Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
- Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
- Marcell Ozuna, Miami Marlins
- Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers
Honorable Mentions
3 of 13Before we get started with the top 10, let's take a look at a few of the center fielders who just missed the cut:
- Michael Taylor, Washington Nationals*
- Delino DeShields, Houston Astros
- Bubba Starling, Kansas City Royals
- Charlie Tilson, St. Louis Cardinals
*Note: Michael Taylor has been included as an honorable mention because he lost his eligibility for this list after debuting with the Washington Nationals in August 2014.
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10. Tyrone Taylor, Milwaukee Brewers
4 of 13Age: 20
Highest Minor League Level: Double-A
2014 Stats: .273 average, .326 OBP, .388 SLG, .715 OPS, 36 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 68 RBI, 22 SB
The Track Record
A second-round pick in the 2012 MLB draft, Tyrone Taylor has progressed steadily through the Milwaukee Brewers' minor-league system. During the 2014 season, Taylor played center field for Milwaukee's High-A club before earning a call-up to Double-A for the playoffs. When he arrived in the Southern League, Taylor was 4.5 years younger than the average player in the circuit, according to Baseball-Reference.com.
The right-handed hitter is already beginning to show considerable power potential. Taylor connected on just six home runs in 2014, but he totaled 36 doubles. In addition to that pop, Taylor also has a ton of speed in the outfield and on the basepaths. Last season, he recorded 22 steals.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Taylor will start the 2015 season back in Double-A but could end the campaign in Triple-A. With a strong showing next year, Taylor will be patrolling center field at Miller Park by the summer of 2016.
9. Michael Gettys, San Diego Padres
5 of 13Age: 19
Highest Minor League Level: Rookie level
2014 Stats: .310 average, .353 OBP, .437 SLG, .790 OPS, 8 2B, 5 3B, 3 HR, 38 RBI, 14 SB, 15 BB, 66 K
The Track Record
After the San Diego Padres selected Michael Gettys in the second round in June, he didn't waste any time getting acclimated to the minor leagues.
In 55 Arizona Rookie League games, the right-handed hitter batted .310 with 16 extra-base hits and 14 steals. As his base stealing total suggests, Gettys is extremely fast, which allows him to cover a ton of ground in the outfield. In addition to that speed, Gettys also has an incredible arm. According to Matt Garrioch of MinorLeagueBall.com, Gettys has the ability to throw the ball 100 mph from center field.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Since he was drafted out of high school, Gettys has a lot of climbing to do. The top prospect will likely need three full seasons to navigate his way through the minor leagues.
8. Manuel Margot, Boston Red Sox
6 of 13Age: 20
Highest Minor League Level: High-A
2014 Stats: .293 average, .356 OBP, .462 SLG, .818 OPS, 25 2B, 5 3B, 12 HR, 59 RBI, 42 SB, 39 BB, 54 K
The Track Record
Manuel Margot broke out in 2014.
The center fielder, who was just 19 years old for the entire 2014 season, hit .293 and racked up 42 steals while spending the year with the Boston Red Sox's Low-A and High-A affiliates. Margot was particularly impressive following a promotion to the Carolina League in August. During a 15-game stretch, the right-handed hitter swung at a clip of .340.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Margot "models" his play after four-time All-Star Adam Jones, according Ricky Doyle of NESN. The Dominican still has plenty of work to do before he reaches the level of Jones.
Margot is on track to begin the 2015 season back in High-A and could earn a trip to Double-A by the middle of the summer. He'll likely spend the 2016 season in the upper minors before landing at Fenway Park in 2017.
7. Derek Hill, Detroit Tigers
7 of 13Age: 18
Highest Minor League Level: Short-season A-ball
2014 Stats: .208 average, .296 OBP, .295 SLG, .591 OPS, 3 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 11 SB, 18 BB, 45 K
The Track Record
Derek Hill is already drawing some big league comparisons.
After the Detroit Tigers landed him with the No. 23 pick in June, Harold Reynolds told MLB Network that Hill was "the best centerfielder in high school since Torii Hunter," per James Schmehl of MLive.com.
The right-handed hitter, who stole 11 bases in 47 games over the summer, can absolutely fly. He also puts that speed to use in the outfield where he's considered to be an excellent defender.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Just 18 years old, Hill has lots of work to do in the minor leagues. The top pick will likely need three full seasons in the minor leagues but could make it to Comerica Park by Opening Day 2018 when he'll still be just 22 years old.
6. Austin Meadows, Pittsburgh Pirates
8 of 13Age: 19
Highest Minor League Level: Low-A
2014 Stats: .317 average, .394 OBP, .488 SLG, .881 OPS, 15 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 2 SB, 19 BB, 33 K
The Track Record
Austin Meadows has impressed ever since the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2013 draft. In 93 games in the minor leagues, Meadows has posted a .932 OPS.
The center fielder didn't see a lot of time on the field in 2014, as a hamstring injury limited him to just 45 contests. However, when he was out on the diamond, Meadows provided plenty of production. While playing the majority of the season for Pittsburgh's Low-A affiliate, the line-drive hitter checked in with a .317 average.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
The first stop for Meadows in 2015 will be High-A. The left-handed hitter will likely spend 2016 in the upper minors and could reach PNC Park by early in 2017. Of course, when he does arrive in the major leagues he won't be playing center field immediately, as Andrew McCutchen stands in his way.
5. Teoscar Hernandez, Houston Astros
9 of 13Age: 22
Highest Minor League Level: Double-A
2014 Stats: .292 average, .362 OBP, .535 SLG, .897 OPS, 37 2B, 9 3B, 21 HR, 85 RBI, 33 SB, 51 BB, 153 K
The Track Record
Teoscar Hernandez torched the minor leagues in 2014.
While splitting the campaign between High-A and Double-A, the right-handed hitter piled up 67 extra-base hits, including 21 home runs. The 22-year-old also swiped 33 bases. Those are remarkable numbers—especially since the Houston Astros inked Hernandez for just a $20,000 signing bonus back in 2011, per MLB.com.
The most noticeable weakness in Hernandez's game is his tendency to swing and miss. Last year, the right-handed hitter punched out 153 times in 486 at-bats.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
After playing just 23 games in Double-A over the summer, the Texas League is where Hernandez will begin the 2015 season. Yet another big season will result in the Hernandez ending the year in Triple-A or possibly even Houston's outfield.
4. Clint Frazier, Cleveland Indians
10 of 13Age: 20
Highest Minor League Level: Low-A
2014 Stats: .266 average, .349 OBP. .411 SLG, .761 OPS, 18 2B. 6 3B, 13 HR, 50 RBI, 12 SB, 56 BB, 161 K
The Track Record
The Cleveland Indians snapped up Clint Frazier with the No. 5 pick in 2013 and handed him a $3.5 million signing bonus, per MLB.com.
The right-handed hitter has electric bat speed, as you can see in the video above. In his first full season in the minors, that quick swing translated into a ton of power. While playing for the Tribe's Low-A affiliate, Frazier connected on 18 doubles, six triples and 13 home runs.
One of the most impressive parts of Frazier's strong season is that he successfully rebounded from a shaky start. Shaun Larkin, Frazier's hitting coach with the Lake County Captains, never questioned the center fielder's ability to bounce back, as he explained via Tim Warsinskey of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
"The tools are always going to be there. We all see that. It's how you manage those tools with failures and successes.''
After hitting just four home runs and posting a .699 OPS in the first half of the season, Frazier went on to go yard nine times and put up a .815 OPS in the second half.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Frazier has the ability to move quickly through Cleveland's system. The former top pick is on track to open up the 2015 season in High-A, but he could end it in Double-A. Earning a call-up to the big leagues by the summer of 2017 is a realistic target for Frazier.
3. David Dahl, Colorado Rockies
11 of 13Age: 20
Highest Minor League Level: High-A
2014 Stats: .299 average, .335 OBP, .492 SLG, .827 OPS, 41 2B, 8 3B, 14 HR, 55 RBI, 21 SB, 28 BB, 92 K
The Track Record
David Dahl got back on the fast track in 2014 after injuries and disciplinary issues limited him to just 10 games the season before.
While splitting the campaign between Low-A and High-A, the left-handed hitter put his power and his speed on display. Dahl collected 41 doubles and totaled 21 steals. The No. 10 pick from the 2012 draft also has a history of hitting for high average. In parts of three professional seasons, Dahl owns a .325 average.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
After appearing in just 29 games in High-A in 2014, the 20-year-old is likely to start next season back in the Cal League. Of course, a strong start will earn Dahl a quick promotion to Double-A. The center fielder could make it to Coors Field by the summer of 2016.
2. Albert Almora, Chicago Cubs
12 of 13Age: 20
Highest Minor League Level: Double-A
2014 Stats: .270 average, .291 OBP, .392 SLG, .683 OPS, 27 2B, 4 3B, 9 HR, 60 RBI, 6 SB, 14 BB, 69 K
The Track Record
Albert Almora is moving rapidly through the Chicago Cubs' farm system.
The No. 6 overall selection from the 2012 draft, Almora ended the 2014 season playing in Double-A. In the Southern League, the 20-year-old was 4.5 years younger than the average player, per Baseball-Reference.com.
Over the summer, Almora struggled following his midseason promotion to Double-A. In 38 games, he hit just .234. While Almora was challenged by the more advanced pitching he faced, the right-handed batter has consistently posted a high average. In 219 minor leagues games with the Cubs, Almora has swung at a clip of .294.
The center fielder also has an excellent arm and an impressive range in center field, as you can see in the video above.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Almora will begin the 2015 back in Double-A and should aim to earn a promotion to Triple-A before the end of the season. The top prospect should be ready to make his mark for the Cubs by the middle of the 2016 season.
1. Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
13 of 13Age: 20
Highest Minor League Level: Double-A
2014 Stats: .234 average, .307 OBP, .395 SLG, .702 OPS, 4 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 6 SB, 10 BB, 36 K
The Track Record
The 2014 season didn't go as planned for Byron Buxton.
The center fielder, who entered the year as the consensus No. 1 prospect in the minor leagues, just couldn't stay on the field. Wrist injuries and a concussion limited the right-handed hitter to just 31 games. Even though he endured a lost year, Baseball America still ranked Buxton as the best player on its Midseason Top 50.
Back in 2013, his first full season as a professional, Buxton absolutely dismantled the minor leagues. That season, Buxton hit .334 with 19 doubles, 18 triples, 12 home runs and 55 steals. The outfielder has the power, speed and glove to become a true impact player for the Minnesota Twins.
When He'll Arrive in the Big Leagues
Set to turn 21 in December, Buxton will begin the 2015 season in Double-A. It's not out of the question to think that Buxton will make it to the major leagues before the end of the season. A more conservative approach would see Buxton debuting early in 2016.
If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.
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