With MLB The Show 23 hitting the shelves, it’s time for players to hit the virtual diamond. The baseball simulator offers the most recent rosters and all the tools you need to win a World Series championship.

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Center fielders are the generals of the outfield. They have precedence over all the fly balls that reach the outfield, so the best players in this position should be competent fielders. Let’s take a look at which ballplayers rise above and beyond at the center field position.

10 Cedric Mullins - 81

Being a Baltimore Orioles fan is hard but it might be even more difficult playing for them. The team has finished in the cellar of the American East division for the past few seasons with no real signs of vast improvement. But having players like Cedric Mullins certainly helps.

One year removed from an All-Star nomination, Mullins is entering his third season as the starting left fielder. He has a high durability rating (95) after missing only nine games in the last two seasons. The 28-year-old is an average hitter (79 contact against righties) and fielder (76).

He’s quick on the base paths (74) but overall, Mullins is simply a solid player for the Orioles.

9 Chas McCormick - 81

While players like Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez make most of the headlines with the Houston Astros, Chas McCormick has emerged as a solid center fielder for the team. The 27-year-old had an impact in helping the team win the 2022 World Series.

At the plate, McCormick swings mainly for power against lefties (88) and righties (78). He’s hit 14 home runs in 2021 and 2022, so he can turn on one. McCormick might have more value as a fielder (89) with his quick reaction time (92).

McCormick’s continued development can help maintain Houston’s dominance in the American League West division.

8 Tyler O’Neill - 82

The St. Louis Cardinals continue to demonstrate their expertise in developing players with center fielder Tyler O’Neill. The 27-year-old has spent five seasons in the majors and has earned two Gold Glove awards.

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The majority of O’Neill’s offensive and defensive attributes are fairly average with his power hitting against left-handers (82) and durability (84) being his highest marks. But one area he does excel in is speed (98). He’s lightning-fast and can cover a lot of ground in the field and on the bases.

7 Luis Robert Jr. - 82

In three seasons, Luis Robert Jr. has become a cornerstone in the Chicago White Sox organization. Although Robert Jr. has yet to crack 100 game appearances in a season, he’s managed to make an impact whenever he can.

Robert Jr. won a Gold Glove behind his stellar defense but is also a terrifying hitter for left-handers. The 25-year-old excels at hitting breaking balls with contact (99) but does have the ability to hit one to the stands (82).

6 Bryan Reynolds - 84

The best player on the Pittsburgh Pirates resides in center field. Bryan Reynolds is one of the lone bright spots on a struggling team, as the 28-year-old is one year removed from his first All-Star nomination. Reynolds led the majors in triples (eight) during that season in 2021.

As a switch hitter, Reynolds has the advantage in most at-bats. Overall, he’s a better contact hitter (72 right, 86 left) than a power hitter (76 right, 65 left) but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a threat to hit home runs. Reynolds tends to lock into the first pitch he sees and prays that it’s a fastball.

5 Jazz Chisholm Jr. - 88

The cover athlete of MLB The Show 23 is also one of baseball’s brightest young stars. Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the Miami Marlins is on the cusp of greatness, as the electrifying center fielder officially declared his arrival with his first All-Star nomination in 2022.

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Chisholm can be deployed across six different positions but center field is his primary spot. He’s a great fielder (82) and can cover plenty of ground with his high speed (86). Chisholm excels at hitting most pitches and can get the better of right-handed pitching (72 contact, 90 power).

There isn’t a player as exciting as Chisholm and he gives us plenty of reasons why he’s gracing the cover.

4 Michael Harris II - 89

Coming off winning Rookie of the Year in 2022, Michael Harris II is geared up to help the Atlanta Braves reach another World Series. The 22-year-old is the youngest player featured among the top center fielders, a nod toward his natural talents across the diamond.

Now only in his second season, Harris II is one of the most clutch (97) players in Atlanta with a near-perfect contact rating against right-handers (96). He’s an excellent fielder (81) with a strong (90), accurate (76) arm. Harris II is well on his way to greatness after the rookie season he experienced.

3 Julio Rodriguez - 89

The second-youngest player featured among the top center fielders is the recipient of the American League Rookie of the Year: Julio Rodriguez. Seattle’s young center fielder made a name for himself in the 2022 home run derby and helped push the Mariners to the playoffs.

Rodriguez inflicts damage all over the field against all pitchers. He has incredible speed (98) that allows him to stretch singles into doubles and cause havoc on the base paths. He has a cannon for an arm (92), nailing would-be scorers at the plate.

2 Byron Buxton - 93

The Minnesota Twins haven’t experienced consistent success in the last several years, so it might be easy to overlook the team and its players. If you are, stop and take a look at Byron Buxton. Coming off his first All-Star nomination, Buxton has elevated his game as one of the best power-hitters in the American League and a leader on the Twins.

Whether Buxton is against righties (99) or lefties (99), there’s a decent chance he’s going to hit the ball pretty far. He’s an amazing power hitter but also an amazing fielder (99) as well. Combined with his high arm strength (85) and accuracy (83), Buxton is a complete package.

1 Mike Trout - 99

One of only three perfect-rated players in MLB The Show 23 is Mike Trout. The Los Angeles Angels center fielder is not only the best at his position but also considered the best in all of baseball. In his 12-year career, Trout has won the MVP three times with ten All-Star nominations. The only accolade missing from his resume is a World Series championship.

Trout is the purest hitter in the league with his lowest offensive rating being contact, hitting against right-handers (91). He’s a monster at the plate against fastballs, breaking balls, balls thrown outside the strike zone, or when he’s behind in the count.

The situation doesn’t matter for Trout. To make matters worse for opposing defenses, Trout has high speed (90) as well to get around the bases. No matter how you cut it, Trout is rightfully the best center fielder in the game and possibly the greatest ever.

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