Top 100 Prospects Position Rankings: Center Fielders

Now that we’ve wrapped up the Top 10 Prospects lists and The Top 100, we turn our attention to how the best of the best stack up against each other with our position rankings.

CENTER FIELDERS

Quality of the Class: This is a solid group, with a mix of near-big league ready talents (Byron Buxton, Bradley Zimmer and Brett Phillips) and high-ceiling potential stars who are further away (Andrew Benintendi, Victor Robles and Alex Verdugo).

Highest Ceiling: If Buxton lives up to scouts’ ultimate projections, he’s a perennial all-star for the Twins. Buxton should play Gold Glove defense in center field and cause havoc on the bases. He just needs to make consistent contact and hit for average.

Lowest Risk: Cleveland’s Zimmer has cheap five-tool potential and a track record of success, making him a safe bet to be a productive big league center fielder. He may not end up being a star, but he should be a solid contributor for the Indians before long.

Bursting On The Scene: A year ago, the Brewers knew that their young high school draftees (Monte Harrison and Jake Gatewood) may be in over their heads in the Midwest League. There should be no such problem with 2015 first-rounder Trent Clark. Clark has an advanced understanding of what he wants to do in the batter’s box.

Center Fielders

1. Byron Buxton, Twins

2. Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox

3. Lewis Brinson, Rangers

4. Anthony Alford, Blue Jays

5. Bradley Zimmer, Indians

6. Victor Robles, Nationals

7. David Dahl, Rockies

8. Trent Clark, Brewers

9. Manuel Margot, Padres

10. Brett Phillips, Brewers

11. Daz Cameron, Astros

12. Alex Verdugo, Dodgers

13. Garrett Whitley, Rays

14. Mikie Mahtook, Rays

15. Mallex Smith, Braves

16. Albert Almora, Cubs

17. Brandon Nimmo, Mets

18. Bubba Starling, Royals

19. Tyler Naquin, Indians

20. Travis Jankowski, Padres

21. Magneuris Sierra, Cardinals

22. Luis Alexander Basabe, Red Sox

23. Tyrone Taylor, Brewers

24. Desmond Lindsay, Mets

25. Socrates Brito, Dbacks

26. Trayce Thompson, Dodgers

27. D.J. Wilson, Cubs

28. Yusniel Diaz, Dodgers

29. Jacob May, White Sox

30. Andrew Stevenson, Nationals

31. Adam Engel, White Sox

32. Dustin Fowler, Yankees

33. Jahmai Jones, Angels

34. Guillermo Heredia, Mariners

35. Monte Harrison, Brewers

36. Eric Jenkins, Rangers

37. Roman Quinn, Phillies

38. Derek Hill, Tigers

39. Leodys Taveras, Rangers

40. Michael Gettys, Padres