Three MLB Center Fielders Ready to Become Stars in 2017
Very often MLB center fielders are the most athletic players on the baseball field. Many times they are the team's biggest star. The expectation for them to cover more ground than anyone else on the field is a huge responsibility. They aren't just defensive gurus either as many MLB greats were also terrific hitting center fielders, too.
Many of the game's best already play the position. Mike Trout is clearly the frontrunner in this criteria, but others are falling in line behind him.
The 2017 season will likely fail to reveal the next version of Trout. However, it can allow a few center fielders on the brink of stardom to finally get over the hump. Three players who have already logged a few seasons in the big leagues stand out as the most likely candidates to make that leap from very good to great this season.
A change of scenery, a new position, and more experience are three of the reasons why I expect these MLB center fielders to have phenomenal breakout seasons in 2017. The most amazing thing of all, none primarily played the position last year. They are only now in center field because of how gifted they are at baseball. Putting them anywhere else is a waste of their talent.
While a younger player like Keon Broxton may have a terrific season or A.J. Pollock will return to greatness after missing most of last season, this list is exclusive and will not include them. The three MLB center fielders ready to become stars on this list are exclusive to those teetering for several seasons just below that elite level.
Adam Eaton
Not too many MLB center fielders have played as consistently as Adam Eaton has over the past three seasons. The pace at which he gets on base and picks up hits is predictably productive. The last two seasons have been especially successful with eerily similar numbers in each. Overall, though, Eaton's string of success dates back to 2014 when the Chicago White Sox handed him the everyday job in center field. He has not looked back since while slashing .290/.362/.422 in that time.
This year, Eaton will look to continue that trend with the Washington Nationals. His role is not yet fully defined as he may hit as high as number one or as low as seventh. Eaton is versatile like that and someone the Nationals are counting on to produce. After all, they traded a huge package this offseason to get him.
Unlike many in his position, Eaton has never become dependent on his speed. Instead, it's his bat that does most of the talking. The switch to the National League East may take a little time to adjust. However, given Eaton's array of talent, he should do just fine and become one of the better center fielders in the National League.
Starling Marte
The Pittsburgh Pirates will begin the 2017 season with a brand new center fielder. Andrew McCutchen has moved to right field which has opened up the door for Starling Marte to shift over from left field. Although he has already logged parts of five seasons in the big leagues, Marte is poised to reach a new level in 2017. How far can he go?
Last season was his chance to really make a name for himself. Marte missed quite a bit of time, but still made the most of it when healthy. He stole a career high 47 bases while also posting a career-best .311 batting average. Even though he had about 100 fewer plate appearances than he did in 2015, Marte nearly matched his hits total. He fell shy of matching it by only 14 hits.
The 2016 season was a special one for Marte as it was the first time he was selected to the All-Star Game. It was also his second consecutive season where he won a Gold Glove. This year, though, the gifted fielder will hope to flash the leather at a position he is less familiar with. Surely with his speed and other talents Marte will have no problem upgrading from very good to great.
Christian Yelich
Miami Marlins' slugger Giancarlo Stanton continued to fall short of the hype last season. Meanwhile, Christian Yelich became the best offensive weapon on the roster. He launched a career-high 19 home runs while also slashing .298/.376/.483. Yelich became far more than a speedy player who puts the bat on the ball. Last year he developed into a player who can also come up with a big hit and drive in runs.
Opening Day has not arrived yet, but Yelich has already begun to make 2017 a favorable year. He was one of the big contributors on the World Baseball Classic winning Team USA roster. The tournament has exposed him to a few more baseball fans across the world. Surely, enough are now convinced that he is indeed one of the better center fielders in baseball.
Like Marte in Pittsburgh, the move to center field for Yelich is a new one. Teammate Marcell Ozuna had previously been the Marlins' starter at the position with Yelich receiving most of his playing time in left field. Yelich is not nearly as gifted on defense as Marte, but can still put up positive numbers. Just now entering his age 25 season, he is one of MLB's top center fielders of the future.
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