Top 10 MLB center fielders for 2022 season

Age During 2022 Season: 25
2021 Statistics: .242/.327/.413 with 15 home runs, 62 RBIs, 54 walks, .740 OPS, 106 OPS+, eight defensive runs saved, five outs above average and a 2.1 fWAR

One of the more underrated players in baseball, Grisham is third among all qualified center fielders with 15 defensive runs saved over the past two seasons. For a Padres team with a slew of major financial investments, Grisham is extremely valuable because he won't even become eligible for arbitration for the first time until 2023.

Age During 2022 Season: 30
2021 Statistics: .250/.337/.449 with 20 home runs, 60 RBIs, 61 walks, .786 OPS, 107 OPS+, 14 defensive runs saved, eight outs above average and a 3.9 fWAR

Hernández struggled in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, which turned out to be his final season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Red Sox gambled on Hernández by giving him a two-year/$14 million deal which looks like one of the most team-friendly pacts in the sport a year later. One of baseball's elite super-utility men, Hernández had 14 defensive runs saved in center field in 2021, along with two at shortstop.

Age During 2022 Season: 26
2021 Statistics: .165/.240/.302 with 10 home runs, 36 RBIs, 31 walks, .542 OPS, 45 OPS+, -1 outs above average and -0.8 fWAR

Bellinger is here out of respect for the all-time season that he had in 2019, when he homered 47 times, posted a 7.7 fWAR and won the National League MVP. However, over the last two regular seasons, Bellinger has slashed .195/.278/.364 with just a .642 OPS. Granted, Bellinger was excellent in the 2021 postseason, hitting .353 in 34 at-bats. But in many senses this is a make-or-break season for a player that a few years ago seemed like one of the few untouchable stars in the game.

Age During 2022 Season: 27
2021 Statistics: .291/.360/.518 with 30 home runs, 59 RBIs, 59 walks, .878 OPS, 135 OPS+, -1 defensive runs saved, 10 outs above average and a 5.3 fWAR

Mullins had a breakout season in 2021, homering 30 times, making his first All-Star Game appearance and winning the American League Silver Slugger Award for his position. Mullins is 27 and can't become a free agent until after the 2025 season. If 2021 was a sign of things to come, he'll either be a part of the next contending team that the Orioles field, or a player coveted on the trade market.

Age During 2022 Season: 33
2021 Statistics: .310/.383/.458 with 12 home runs, 55 RBIs, 43 walks, .841 OPS, 132 OPS+, -4 defensive runs saved, one outs above average and a 5.5 fWAR

The Mets already had one of the best center fielders in baseball in Brandon Nimmo, but elected to sign Marte to a four-year/$78 million deal this offseason anyway. It's entirely possible that Marte ends up playing right field the most in 2022, but he's most valuable as one of the most complete players at a center field position without many stars. Marte led baseball with 47 stolen bases in 2021, a campaign that he split between the Miami Marlins and Oakland Athletics.

Age During 2022 Season: 32
2021 Statistics: .264/.352/.555 with 22 home runs, 50 RBIs, 37 walks, .907 OPS, 143 OPS+, -1 defensive runs saved, one out above average and 2.4 fWAR

Injuries limited Springer to just 78 games in the first season of a six-year/$150 million deal with the Blue Jays, but he managed to homer 22 times in less than half a season. It remains to be seen how many more years the former World Series MVP has as an everyday center fielder, but in one of the sport's most loaded lineups, Springer will be an elite offensive performer for years to come.

Age During 2022 Season: 27
2021 Statistics: .302/.390/.522 with 24 home runs, 90 RBIs, 75 walks, .912 OPS, 146 OPS+, -5 defensive runs saved, nine outs above average and a 5.5 fWAR

Reynolds struggled in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season after a promising rookie year, but managed to put those struggles in the rear view mirror with a breakout 2021 season. A first-time All-Star in 2021, Reynolds homered 24 times, drove in 94 runs and led baseball with eight triples. Like Mullins, Reynolds can't become a free agent until after the 2025 season. That means that the Pirates could build their team around him, or trade him for a haul of promising prospects.

Age During 2022 Season: 24
2021 Statistics: .338/.378/.567 with 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, 14 walks, .946 OPS, 155 OPS+, four defensive runs saved, four outs above average and a 3.7 fWAR

Robert was limited to only 68 games in 2021, but showed much of the same promise that allowed him to win a Gold Glove Award and finish second in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2020. If Robert stays healthy over the course of 162 games this year for the White Sox, there's going to be a ton of kids eager to wear No. 88 because they idolize one of the sport's most complete young stars.

Age During 2022 Season: 28
2021 Statistics: .306/.358/.647 with 19 home runs, 32 RBIs, 13 walks, 1.005 OPS, 171 OPS+, 10 defensive runs saved, seven outs above average and a 4.2 fWAR

If Buxton put up his 2021 numbers over a full season, he'd still be on this list. When you consider that the oft-injured center fielder put up those statistics over just 61 games, you get an idea of why many think Buxton could win American League MVP if he played a full season. The Twins signed Buxton to a seven-year/$100 million extension this offseason, a pact that features significant incentives for top-10 MVP finishes. Minnesota would be happy to pay Buxton more than his $9 million base salary in 2022.

Age During 2022 Season: 30
2021 Statistics: .333/.466/.624 with eight home runs, 18 RBIs, 27 walks, 1.090 OPS, 195 OPS+, -4 defensive runs saved, one out above average and a 2.3 fWAR

A right calf injury limited Trout to only 36 games in 2022, but the three-time American League MVP still put up staggering production during his time on the field last season. Trout is already one of the greatest center fielders in MLB history and the best player in Angels history. It sure would be great for the game if he was able to be part of a team that makes an extended postseason run.