Pedro Oliveira
La parte central de los jardines es la posición más complicada de manejar en el béisbol de grandes ligas, al ser el área más amplia e impredecible de todo el campo, si sumamos la comunicación fugaz que se debe tener con los demás jardineros, el clima, y muchos otros factores, se sabe que no a cualquiera le va bien con semejante tarea.
5. Harrison Bader – St. Louis Cardinals
In his fifth year in the league, the 27-year-old slugger went from smaller to bigger, finishing as the immovable middle infielder at Busch Stadium, averaging .267/.324/.460 with 16 home runs, 50 RBIs, 45 runs scored, 21 doubles and 9 stolen bases (in 13 attempts) during 103 games played.
Bader hasn’t quite lived up to the potential he had in the minor leagues, but he consolidated his best season in the big leagues and he was also the Gold Glove winner at center field, a prize that recognized his work as the best defender of his position this season (one of the 5 awards that the St. Louis franchise would take home this year).
4. Bryan Reynolds – Pittsburgh Pirates
After a 2020 that was considered a resounding failure for the 27-year-old outfielder (.189/.302/.390 with 7 homers and 24 runs scored in 55 games), he vindicated himself by posting the best campaign of his career so far. Earning his first All-Star Game appearance, Reynolds drastically improved his batting line with .302/.390/.522 in addition to 24 homers, 35 doubles, 8 triples (led MLB), 90 RBIs, 93 runs scored and 5 stolen bases.
It was one of the few positives things that happened for the Pirates in the season, who finished at the bottom of the Central Division with a 61-101 record. Fans hope Reynolds can stay with the team, and that he is not the next candidate to be traded out of the team.
3. Starling Marte – New York Mets
The 33-year-old veteran shared his season between the Miami Marlins and the Oakland Athletics, having his most solid campaign in the last 5 years: .310/.383/.458 with 12 homers, 55 RBIs, 89 runs scored, 27 doubles, 3 triples, and the highest mark in the majors in stolen bases, with 47 in total (22 with the Marlins, 25 with Oakland).
By signing a 4-year, $72 million contract, the Mets defined their starter in center field for 2022, and the Dominican hopes to replicate his results in the 2021 and 2020 campaign, even though he is entering the zone of potential underachievement due to his age. However, his athletic ability is still intact, and if he stays healthy, he would have no obstacle in converting a campaign of this caliber again.
2. Cody Bellinger – Los Angeles Dodgers
The MVP’s performance for the 2019 campaign is starting to be more of a concern than it should be. If we put together his lines in 2020 and 2021 we are left with a disappointing .195/.278/.364 with 22 homers, 66 RBIs, 72 runs scored and 9 stolen bases in 151 games played. Fortunately for them, the Dodgers have been able to continue their dominance in the National League, but they are still thinking that whatever is happening to their center fielder must change soon.
In his first 3 years of elite baseball, Bellinger averaged .278/.368/.559 with 111 homers, 88 doubles, 14 triples, 39 stolen bases, 288 RBIs and 292 runs scored. This drop in his performance could be explained by the injuries he has suffered to his right shoulder, and the fracture of his left fibula that he suffered on April 6.
2022 will be the ultimate test for the 26-year-old outfielder, and for the Dodgers‘ sake, he better be able to recapture his talent with the lumber.
1. Ronald Acuña Jr. – Atlanta Braves
The Venezuelan’s season started at an MVP pace, being the most important player in the Atlanta team while it was going through a complicated offensive moment: .283/.394/.596 with 24 homers, 52 RBIs, 72 runs scored, 19 doubles and 17 stolen bases in 82 games. He was even one of the competitors for the MLB home run.
Tragedy would occur on July 10 in a game against the Miami Marlins, Acuña fell to the turf after stumbling on a fielding attempt. He later had to be carried out of the stadium and assistance was required. Nothing looked good for the Braves center fielder. After undergoing the necessary tests, the diagnosis was the worst-case scenario in terms of injuries: a complete rupture of his right anterior cruciate ligament.
The 24-year-old would miss the rest of the campaign. Despite his absence, the Braves finished as World Series champions. Acuña is expected to be ready to arrive at Spring Training fully recovered, and will once again be one of the favorites to take the spotlight during the season, in addition to defending his team’s title.
