Center field is as deep a position as there is in baseball. Defense isn’t a consideration in fantasy baseball circles, but it plays a considerable impact in who plays center field. Of course, this is where we get into some murky areas. Some players play enough games in center field to be eligible even if they are primarily left and right fielders. We are profiling players that were primarily center fielders last season. I know that skews the rankings some, but we want to avoid profiling players twice.

Rankings players across platforms and league types is an inexact science at best. We make our best guess and issue our rankings for readers and critics alike. We consider standard five category rankings, six category leagues (walks), and total points. Total points is a newer format that primarily is used in daily fantasy leagues, but is becoming more popular in season long leagues. Since some of you may be unfamiliar with total points we are including our formula below.

Total Points = Total Bases + Runs + RBI + SB + BB + HBP – SO – CS – GIDP

Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	114	438		3.84
2016	159	533		3.35
2015	159	470		2.96
2014	157	479		3.05
2013	157	535		3.41
AVG	149	491	1	3.30	1

Aggregate: .306, 33 HR, 109 Runs, 94 RBI, 22 SB, 99 BB     5 Category: 1

Per 162: .306, 35 HR, 121 Runs, 100 RBI, 29 SB, 100 BB      6 Category: 1

Steamer: .309, 39 HR, 115 Runs, 109 RBI, 21 SB, 113 BB      DRS: -6

In case you haven’t been paying attention, 500 points in total points is an excellent season. Only a handful of guys have done it over the past five seasons. To nearly average that sum is ridiculously good. Averaging nearly four points per game is so good it’s stupid. People sometimes ask when the next Mike Trout will come up. There is a reason why they call them once in a generation players.

Charlie Blackmon—Colorado Rockies 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	159	568		3.57
2016	143	472		3.30
2015	157	400		2.55
2014	154	378		2.45
2013	82	139		1.70
AVG	139	391	3	2.81	2

Aggregate: .308, 22 HR, 92 Runs, 68 RBI, 22 SB, 38 BB      5 Category: 2

Per 162: .305, 24 HR, 102 Runs, 75 RBI, 24 SB, 42 BB          6 Category: 2

Steamer: .297, 26 HR, 103 Runs, 78 RBI, 18 SB, 52 BB        DRS: -5

Blackmon is one of the few players to eclipse 500 points in the last few years and arguably could have been an MVP candidate. Of course, you have to put those numbers through the Coors Field decoder ring. As a fantasy player, you shouldn’t care if those numbers occur at sea level or on the moon. As you can see from the total points, Blackmon has been getting better by the season, but he really doesn’t have anywhere to go and the Steamer numbers back that up.

Andrew McCutchen—Pittsburgh Pirates 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	156	416		2.67
2016	153	332		2.17
2015	157	437		2.78
2014	146	454		3.11
2013	157	467		2.97
AVG	154	421	2	2.73	3

Aggregate: .292, 24 HR, 90 Runs, 86 RBI, 15 SB, 80 BB       5 Category: 3

Per 162: .291, 24 HR, 98 Runs, 87 RBI, 21 SB, 82 BB             6 Category: 3

Steamer: .283, 23 HR, 79 Runs, 80 RBI, 9 SB, 73 BB            DRS: -14

2017 marks four consecutive subpar defensive seasons for McCutchen. That and the fact that his contract will be up following 2018 has the Pirates looking for takers on McCutchen. Obviously, moving to a contender would change his outlook some. He did have a bit of a renaissance in the second half last season, so he still could be an all-star performer if he could move to a lineup with a little more support around him.

George Springer—Houston Astros 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	140	434		3.10
2016	162	400		2.47
2015	102	235		2.30
2014	78	167		2.14
AVG	121	309	5	2.55	4

Aggregate: .263, 25 HR, 83 Runs, 65 RBI, 9 SB, 60 BB         5 Category: 9

Per 162: .266, 33 HR, 112 Runs, 87 RBI, 12 SB, 81 BB          6 Category: 6

Steamer: .275, 33 HR, 106 Runs, 87 RBI, 11 SB, 76 BB        DRS: -2

Magical thinking is dangerous this time of year. From Game Three of the World Series through Game Seven, Springer was the best player on the planet. Magical thinking involves expecting that to carry over. It rarely ever does. If Springer is to take a step forward it will come in the area of health. He has missed significant time in three out of four seasons. If he can enjoy the health he had in 2016 he will have taken a significant step forward.

Adam Eaton—Washington Nationals 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	23	78		3.39
2016	157	380		2.42
2015	153	363		2.37
2014	123	273		2.22
2013	66	130		1.97
AVG	104	245	15	236	8

Aggregate: .284, 7 HR, 66 Runs, 37 RBI, 11 SB, 39 BB         5 Category: 20

Per 162: .284, 11 HR, 104 Runs, 57 RBI, 17 SB, 62 BB          6 Category: 17

Steamer: .282, 12 HR, 84 Runs, 56 RBI, 14 SB, 57 BB          DRS: -5

Placing Eaton in the top five is a bit risky given his injury history, but the ACL tear was a bit of a fluke and he was off to a brilliant start to the season. When you consider the offensive talent around him you have to expect him to produce a ton of runs in a healthy season. Like many of the other guys, he gives you a little bit of everything. You have to like guys that fill up the stat sheet.

Christian Yelich—Miami Marlins 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	156	395		2.53
2016	155	378		2.44
2015	126	251		1.99
2014	144	323		2.24
2013	62	117		1.89
AVG	129	293	10	2.27	10

Aggregate: .290, 14 HR, 74 Runs, 59 RBI, 14 SB, 60 BB     5 Category: 4

Per 162: .290, 15 HR, 93 Runs, 74 RBI, 18 SB, 76 BB           6 Category: 4

Steamer: .292, 19 HR, 81 Runs, 79 RBI, 11 SB, 74 BB          DRS: -6

No one’s ranking is more volatile than Yelich’s. For one, he’s discovered a power stroke in the last two seasons he hadn’t before. Yet, the Marlins just traded away Marcell Ozuna, Giancarlo Stanton, and Dee Gordon, so if he stays in Miami he will have fewer run producing opportunities. If he gets dealt he will not only have more talent around him, but his home/road splits predict considerably more power. So, you should adjust accordingly if he gets moved.

Adam Jones—Baltimore Orioles 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	147	337		2.29
2016	152	357		2.35
2015	137	326		2.38
2014	159	378		2.38
2013	160	423		2.64
AVG	151	364	4	2.41	6

Aggregate: .277, 29 HR, 86 Runs, 88 RBI, 6 SB, 29 BB         5 Category: 5

Per 162: .278, 26 HR, 89 Runs, 86 RBI, 9 SB, 30 BB              6 Category: 11

Steamer: .274, 29 HR, 85 Runs, 86 RBI, 3 SB, 32 BB            DRS: -12

There are a number of players over the years that continually produce good numbers every year, but have holes in their game that prevent them from being a legitimate superstar. In Jones’ case he simply doesn’t draw enough walks. He also doesn’t have the elite glove that gives a player elite value. The Orioles will have to make a call on whether to commit their future to a flawed star.

A.J. Pollock—Arizona Diamondbacks

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	112	298		2.66
2015	157	469		2.99
2014	75	179		2.39
2013	137	240		1.75
AVG	120	297	9	2.48	5

Aggregate: .288, 12 HR, 72 Runs, 47 RBI, 21 SB, 35 BB       5 Category: 10

Per 162: .286, 16 HR, 95 Runs, 62 RBI, 28 SB, 48 BB           6 Category: 12

Steamer: .282, 21 HR, 89 Runs, 76 RBI, 25 SB, 53 BB          DRS: +8

Unfortunately, attendance matters, but if you are a daily fantasy baseball player then A.J. Pollock should be a top five center fielder. He does enough of everything to be a nice pickup. If you hedge your bets on draft day you can add him and then select a steady performer as a bench player for insurance. Steamer seems to think he will be healthy, so there is room for some optimism.

Lorenzo Cain—Free Agent 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	155	355		2.29
2016	103	217		2.11
2015	140	393		2.81
2014	133	236		1.77
2013	115	184		1.60
AVG	129	277	12	2.15	12

Aggregate: .289, 10 HR, 70 Runs, 55 RBI, 22 SB, 36 BB       5 Category: 7

Per 162: .290, 12 HR, 86 Runs, 69 RBI, 27 SB, 44 BB            6 Category: 10

Steamer: .288, 15 HR, 75 Runs, 70 RBI, 16 SB, 45 BB           DRS: +5

Like Yelich, Cain’s ultimate placement depends on where he lands. He has been linked to multiple teams including the Giants, Rangers, Blue Jays, and Mets, and of course the Royals. If he lands in Texas it could be a significant boost to his numbers. The Mets and Giants would not be good for his offensive numbers. The Blue Jays and Royals would be neutral. So, we are in wait and see mode.

Dexter Fowler—St. Louis Cardinals 

	G	TP	Rank	TP/G	Rank
2017	118	297		2.52
2016	125	308		2.46
2015	156	337		2.16
2014	116	231		1.99
2013	119	253		2.13
AVG	127	285	11	2.24	11

Aggregate: .266, 14 HR, 77 Runs, 47 RBI, 14 SB, 71 BB       5 Category: 12

Per 162: .268, 13 HR, 95 Runs, 55 RBI, 18 SB, 85 BB           6 Category: 7

Steamer: .259, 18 HR, 88 Runs, 65 RBI, 12 SB, 85 BB         DRS: -18

Fowler is a fascinating study. He began his career in Denver and most people assumed his offensive ability was driven by the thin air. However, he has played in three different cities since then and he has been equally effective at sea level. He has even developed more power since leaving Denver. Fowler is an interesting study in value as his numbers don’t jump off the page, but he could be a more valuable player than Jones if he can remain healthy.