Comparing MLB’s best players at every position from the 2000s and 2010s
Comparing the best MLB players of the 2000s and 2010s: Center field
Center field: Carlos Beltran vs. Mike Trout
The discussion over top center fielder of the 2000s is an interesting one. Carlos Beltran is the clear WAR leader at 51.4, but a few other players at least have a case to be made. Andruw Jones was the decade’s home run leader and was always known for his defense. Jim Edmonds is far and away the OPS leader at .937 and also played great defense. Johnny Damon is the hits leader, while Torii Hunter also has a strong case that is based a lot on defense.
However, we’ll give it to Beltran, as he was a consistently strong player from the start of the decade to the finish. He also led center fielders in RBIs.
Not that this all matters much, in terms of the 2000s vs. 2010s debate, because Mike Trout‘s 2010s decade is going to win against almost anyone at any position. He dominated the 2010s; his 72.8 WAR for the decade is far beyond the next closest, Andrew McCutchen at 42.5.
Trout had an OPS of 1.000 for the decade; no one else even reached .900. He also led all center fielders in home runs with 281; Adam Jones was next with 251. Three AL MVP Awards and four second place finishes? Not much of a debate there.
All this is to say, there’s not much argument that Trout (2010s) is going to win this matchup against Beltran. And that’s saying something because Beltran had a nice decade. It’s just that Trout’s was historic.