MLB Network kicked off its annual “Top Ten Right Now” series of programs by ranking the top 10 centerfielders and shortstops.
To arrive at the rankings, the network uses a proprietary algorithm named “The Shredder.” This program measures offensive and defensive input without emotion or bias, leading to an ideally objective ranking. To round out the discussion, host Brian Kenny is joined by a second analyst to allow for real-life human analysis as well.
After ranking first for the 2015 season, Pittsbugh Pirates centerfielder Andrew McCutchen ranks fourth for 2016.
Mike Trout, A.J. Pollock and Lorenzo Cain ranked first through third, respectively. Despite another MVP-caliber season, McCutchen’s offense output could not match that of Trout, who posted a .991 OPS by way of 41 home runs and 90 runs batted in. Nor could he match the overall production of Cain, who put up a .307/.361/.477 batting line while scoring 101 runs and swiping 28 bases. There may be a case to be made that McCutchen should have been ranked ahead of Pollock based on career accomplishments to date. Yet, Pollock had a tremendous season in 2015 for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and his defense cannot be ignored.
It should be noted that both human analysts – host Brian Kenny and former major leaguer Eric Byrnes – had McCutchen ranked second behind Trout.
McCutchen was hampered by a knee injury as the year began. Starting the year by hitting .194 in April, McCutchen performed admirably for most of the rest of the season. Highlighted by a blistering August that saw him hit .348 and post a 1.079 OPS (on base plus slugging), McCutchen’s end of year numbers were good enough to give him a fourth straight year of finishing in the top five of National League MVP voting.
In other news, left-handed starting pitcher Jeff Locke avoided arbitration by agreeing to terms on a 1-year/$3.05 million contract. Locke is coming off of arguably his worst major-league season to date, and will find himself up for arbitration again in 2017. By agreeing to these terms, the Pirates might have saved roughly $500,000 off of Locke’s projected 2016 salary.
