Pittsburgh Pirates: Top Five Center Fielders in Franchise History

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PITTSBURGH, PA – CIRCA 1992: Andy Van Slyke #18 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during an Major League Baseball game circa 1992 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Van Slyke played for the Pirates from 1987-94. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – CIRCA 1992: Andy Van Slyke #18 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during an Major League Baseball game circa 1992 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Van Slyke played for the Pirates from 1987-94. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Number Three – Andy Van Slyke

Andy Van Slyke was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the St. Louis Cardinals right before the start of the 1987 season. Not only did the Pirates acquire Van Slyke, who is now one of the Pirates’ best outfielders in their history, but they also got a solid catcher in Mike LaValliere for All-Star catcher Tony Pena.

Like Beaumont, Van Slyke was mostly known for his bat. From 1987 to 1994, Andy hit .283/.353/.458 with 117 home runs and a 124 OPS+ and 125 wRC+. Van Slyke ranks just above Beaumont at the number spot in Bucco center fielder wRC+. Van Slyke showed both power and speed as he averaged 18 home runs and 21 stolen bases per 162 games. In total, Van Slyke had +12.3 base running runs above average and 134 stolen bags.

Van Slyke was also a pretty good defender. Unlike some position players during the late 1980’s and 1990’s, Van Slyke earned his five Gold Glove Awards. In total, the outfielder had +9 total zone runs above average, and a +2.5 defensive WAR mark. In 1987 and 1989, Van Slyke posted double digits in TZ at +11 and +13. Overall, he had a 31.1 fWAR, or the 4th highest among Bucco center fielders.