Pittsburgh Pirates Top Five Center Fielders

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You have to know that the top five at a position has to be pretty good when a Hall of Fame player does not crack the list. After all, how many teams can say that they had a player make the Hall of Fame having spent most of their career on that squad, yet not be in the top five? Chances are, it is not that many.

However, that is where the Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves. Given the overall talent that the Pirates have had during their history, that may not be much of a surprise, yet to know that Lloyd Waner will not be joining his brother Paul as one of the Pirates best may be a shock. However, there have been several better players who were primarily center fielders in Pittsburgh.

While the center fielders for the Pittsburgh Pirates are not the same caliber as the list of right fielders, that does not diminish the talent that the Pirates have had there. This list contains a Hall of Fame player, several All-Stars and someone who may well be one of the top five players in baseball. This list would be the envy of quite a few teams in baseball.

Again, the Fangraphs.com Wins Above Replacement category was used as a guide to create this list. Of course, personal opinion was used as well, as no top five list can be complete if it is not entirely subjective.

We hope you enjoy this series as we continue to look over the greatest players in Pittsburgh Pirates history. So, without further ado, here are the five greatest center fielders for the Pirates.

Next: He became synonymous with zero, just not in Pittsburgh

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4. Ginger Beaumont (1899-1906)

Ginger Beaumont has several claims to fame even now, over a century after his career ended. Beaumont was the first even batter in the World Series, hitting leadoff for the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game One of the 1903 Fall Classic. He was also known for his incredibly heavy bat, weighing an astonishing 55 ounces. Just imagine someone using that bat now.

Somehow, Beaumont was quite adept with that heavy a piece of lumber in the batter’s box. He led the National League in hits from 1902 through 1904, and his .357 batting average led the league in 1902. Overall for the Pirates, Beaumont produced a .321/.369/.404 batting line, stealing 200 bases and hitting 127 doubles. Considering that Beaumont was essentially swinging a fence post, those numbers are fairly impressive.

On defense, Beaumont was about league average, not doing anything particularly well with the glove, but not embarrassing himself in center either. He did, however, lead National League outfielders with eight double plays in 1902, further solidifying the idea that Beaumont would have received heavy consideration for the MVP award, had it existed back then.

A solid leadoff hitter, Ginger Beaumont was more than the answer to a sports trivia question. He was a vital part of the turn of the century Pittsburgh Pirates teams.

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3. Andy Van Slyke (1987-1994)

Originally, Andy Van Slyke was a third baseman. By his own admission, he played the position like Brooks, only in this case, he was referring to Mel Brooks. Fortunately for his sake, he was moved to center field, where his career truly took off.

Van Slyke had always been able to hit, making three All-Star teams, winning two Sliver Slugger awards and earning two fourth place finishes in the MVP ballot for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Overall, during his eight years in Pittsburgh, Van Slyke posted a solid .283/.353/.458 batting line, hitting 117 home runs and stealing 134 bases. He was a key component of the Pirates batting order, teaming with Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla to give Pittsburgh a truly solid middle of the lineup.

Defensively, Van Slyke went from being a butcher at third to a Gold Glove center fielder. In fact, Van Slyke won the Gold Glove award in center from 1988 trough 1992, as he became a premier defensive player. His strong arm helped him lead the National League in double plays three times, as he made the transition from third look easy.

Andy Van Slyke may have been overshadowed by Bonds and Bonilla, but he gave the Pittsburgh Pirates quite the outfield during that run in the late 1980’s through the early part of the 1990’s.

Next: One of the top players in the game today

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2. Andrew McCutchen (2009-present)

Considering that only one current player has even been a part of any of these top five lists thus far, the fact that a current member of the Pittsburgh Pirates would be this high may seem peculiar. However, given the superstar player that Andrew McCutchen is, it really should be expected.

McCutchen has truly blossomed into a star with the Pirates. He has earned an All-Star nod in each of the past four seasons, won an MVP award in 2013 while finishing third in 2012 and 2014, and has earned the Silver Slugger award in each of the last three eyars. In his time with the Pirates, McCutchen has posted .299/.385/.498 batting line, hitting 128 home runs and stealing 143 bases. It is easy to see why he is considered one of the best players in the game today.

Defensively, McCutchen may have just the one Gold Glove award, but he is certainly an excellent center fielder. He led the National League in range factor, double plays and putouts in 2011, yet did not win the Gold Glove that year. As his star is continuing to ascend, he should continue to get consideration for the award, as he continues to cement his place as one of the best all around players in baseball.

Signed through 2018, Andrew McCutchen could easily find himself atop this list in another five years. For now, he is the second best center fielder in Pittsburgh Pirates history, but that could change soon.

Next: Possibly the greatest baserunner in National League history

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1. Max Carey (1910-1926)

How good of a baserunner was Max Carey? Well, he once scored five runs in a game – without getting a hit. He stole home 33 times, a National League record and the second most in baseball history. Carey was also adept at getting on base, once reaching nine times in a single game.

Maybe Carey’s batting line for the Pittsburgh Pirates is not eyepopping, as he produced a .287/.363/.391 batting line, but the context is important. This was mainly during the deadball era, as power and gaudy batting lines were not yet a part of the game. Carey made up for that with his blazing speed, stealing 688 bases with the Pirates and still ranks ninth overall in baseball history.

Carey was also a stellar defensive player. Had Gold Gloves existed in his day, the center fielder award may well be named for Carey. Even now, Carey ranks fifth all time with a 2.97 range factor in center, is third with 87 double plays turned in the outfield and is second with 215 assists from center. At a time when every run was precious, Carey was a true two way star.

Even though Max Carey does not look impressive at first glance, he was a true star in his time. Even though Andrew McCutchen is rapidly closing in, Carey remains the best center fielder in Pittsburgh Pirates history.

Next: Pittsburgh Pirates Top Five Right Fielders