San Diego Padres: Who is going to play center field in 2020?

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We can argue all day about what a “true” center fielder looks like, but in my view there is not currently one on the Padres 40-man roster.

The two most likely candidates are Franchy Cordero and Trent Grisham. I’ve watch a lot of them this offseason and neither look like true center fielders to me.

It’s very (very) small sample sizes in center at the Major League level for both Cordero and Grisham, but Cordero has a career DRS of -2 and Grisham had 1 DRS in 136 innings in center last season.

But Grisham had 3 DRS in just 112 innings in right field last year, which is where he’s much better suited as a defender.

Wil Myers has spent some time in center field as well, but I don’t think anyone would consider him a true center fielder as he had -10 DRS there in 2019.

Could all three of these guys handle center field? Yes.

But it’s not ideal at one of the most important defensive positions on the field.

Taylor Trammell is not currently on the 40-man roster, but he certainly has the speed to cover center field.

However, most scouts believe he’ll end up in left field because he doesn’t have a very strong arm.

But after he was traded to San Diego he spent the majority of his time in center field.