Top 10 MLB center fielders for 2023 season

Ranking last year: Not ranked
2022 statistics: .260/.330/.500 with four home runs, 14 RBIs, eight walks, .830 OPS, one defensive run saved, one out above average and a 1.4 WAR
Age during 2023 season: 22

Despite impressing in 32 games for the Diamondbacks in 2022, Carroll still is considered a prospect because he's had fewer than 130 at-bats in the majors. The No. 16 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Carroll is rated as the top outfield prospect in baseball. And with that, he's the odds-on favorite to win the NL Rookie of the Year award.

Ranking last year: 7
2022 statistics: .258/.318/.403 with 16 home runs, 64 RBIs, 47 walks, .721 OPS, five defensive runs saved, eight outs above average and a 3.4 WAR
Age during 2023 season: 28

In 2022, Mullins perhaps didn't match his breakout 2021 season, where he posted a 6.0 WAR and finished ninth in AL MVP award voting. Still, he's an excellent fielder and an above-average offensive contributor at a position without a ton of those. He and the Orioles surprised by finishing 83-79 in 2022, and they're looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Ranking last year: Not ranked in center field
2022 statistics: .254/.325/.535 with 14 home runs, 45 RBIs, 21 walks, .860 OPS, two defensive runs saved, three outs above average and a 2.6 WAR
Age during 2023 season: 25

We'll take a mulligan on this one, as we ranked Chisholm as the No. 6 second baseman for the 2023 season before the Marlins announced that he would move to center field. Whatever position he plays, Chisholm is one of the most exciting young stars in the game, and the Marlins desperately need him to stay healthy for a full season after a back injury cost him the entire second half of the 2022 season.

Ranking last year: 3
2022 statistics: .284/.319/.426 with 12 home runs, 56 RBIs, 17 walks, .746 OPS, -4 defensive runs saved, two outs above average and a 2.1 WAR
Age during 2023 season: 25

Robert appeared to be a future superstar when he won a Gold Glove and finished second in AL Rookie of the Year Award voting in the pandemic-shortened season of 2020. However, of a possible 324 games over the past two seasons, Robert has been limited to just 166. If he's healthy, he'll easily outperform being the seventh ranked center fielder and the White Sox will bounce back after a disappointing 81-81 season in 2022.

Ranking last year: 4
2022 statistics: .262/.345/.461 with 27 home runs, 62 RBIs, 56 walks, .807 OPS, -14 defensive runs saved, -7 outs above average and a 2.9 WAR
Age during 2023 season: 28

Reynolds has become a go-to name to speculate about in regards to trades given the offensive production that he's put up over the past two seasons. However, the -19 defensive runs saved he has since the start of the 2021 season suggest his long-term future should probably be at a corner outfield position, regardless of whether he's with the Pirates or another team.

Ranking last year: Not ranked
2022 statistics: .297/.339/.514 with 19 home runs, 64 RBIs, 21 walks, .853 OPS, eight defensive runs saved, seven outs above average and a 4.8 WAR
Age during 2023 season: 22

Harris burst onto the scene in 2022, winning the NL Rookie of the Year award and finishing 13th in senior circuit MVP voting despite playing in just 114 games. And you guessed it, the Braves have already signed the former third-round pick to a team-friendly eight-year, $72-million extension, which includes two club options that could tie him to the team through the 2032 season.

Ranking last year: Not ranked in center field
2022 statistics: .274/.367/.433 with 16 home runs, 64 RBIs, 71 walks, .800 OPS, -3 defensive runs saved, six outs above average and a 5.4 WAR
Age during 2023 season: 30

Nimmo returned to the Mets this offseason on an eight-year, $162-million deal this past offseason after a career year in 2022. When healthy, he's an on-base machine who can hit at the top of Buck Showalter's order. But 2022 was just the second time that the soon-to-be 30-year-old Nimmo has played more than 100 games in a season, so the success of his new contract will likely come down to his ability to avoid the injured list.

Ranking last year: 2
2022 statistics: .224/.306/.526 with 28 home runs, 51 RBIs, 34 walks, .833 OPS, eight defensive runs saved, eight outs above average and a 4.0 WAR
Age during 2023 season: 29

Buxton is one of the most complete players in baseball when he's on the field, but over the last four full 162-game seasons, injuries have limited him to just 268 of a possible 648 games. Buxton is injury-prone and that may very well rob him of being one of this generation's best center fielders.

Ranking last year: Not ranked
2022 statistics: .284/.345/.509 with 28 home runs, 75 RBIs, 40 walks, .853 OPS, three defensive runs saved, six outs above average and a 5.3 WAR
Age during 2023 season: 22

Rodríguez emerged as one of the game's budding superstars in 2022, making an All-Star team, winning a Silver Slugger award and taking home the AL Rookie of the Year Award. Heck, finishing seventh in AL MVP award voting in your first big league season is a pretty amazing accomplishment. The Mariners snapped the longest postseason drought in baseball in 2022, and Rodríguez may very well help them to reach the playoffs for the second consecutive season in 2023.

Ranking last year: 1
2022 statistics: .283/.369/.630 with 40 home runs, 80 RBIs, 54 walks, .999 OPS, zero defensive runs saved, three outs above average and a 6.0 WAR
Age during 2023 season: 31

Trout is the greatest player in the history of the Angels franchise and already one of the best center fielders that the sport has ever seen. Considering he hit 40 home runs in just 119 games a season ago, it's safe to say he could compete for his fourth AL MVP award if he plays a full season in 2023.