Minnesota Twins 2026 Position Analysis: Center Field

[Nick Nelson]

Image courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

For many years, the Minnesota Twins' front office felt compelled to prioritize a backup center fielder who'd be capable of stepping into the starting role, for long stretches, at a moment's notice. After being bitten by having to play guys like Gilberto Celestino and Nick Gordon in center way too much during the 2021-22 seasons, the Twins made it a point to target Michael A. Taylor, Manuel Margot and Harrison Bader in successive winters.

This year, they noticeably snapped the trend. That's not because they have any great in-house options to back up center field. 

Buxton's health has become an afterthought rather than a constant concern, while top prospects are on the verge of big-league readiness, and that's why center field projects as the biggest strength on the Twins roster. 

TWINS CENTER FIELDERS AT A GLANCE

Starter: Byron Buxton
Backup: James Outman
Depth: Ryan Kreidler, Alan Roden, Austin Martin
Prospects: Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Brandon Winokur

Twins fWAR Ranking Last Year: 5th out of 30
Twins fWAR Projection This Year: 4th out of 30

THE GOOD
Just a few short years ago, it would have been hard to believe: Buxton in the starting lineup for Minnesota's first official spring game on February 21st, gearing up to participate in the World Baseball Classic. 

As his injury woes crescendoed in his late 20s, the Twins had no choice but to handle Buxton carefully, often easing him into spring action gradually. Taking part in the WBC would've been completely out of the question. But coming off two of his best and healthiest seasons, the two-time All Star is no-holds-barred and all-systems-go. 

 

Buxton narrowly missed a top-10 finish in the AL MVP voting last year, filling the stat sheet in 126 games: 35 home runs, seven triples, 97 runs scored, 24 stolen bases (on 24 attempts) and an .878 OPS. In his age-31 season, he remained one of the fastest players in baseball, with a 100th-percentile sprint speed exceeding 30 ft/sec. Buxton is an outstanding center fielder and the definition of a two-way star. 

Under contract for three more years, Buxton will at some point probably have to move off center field, but that day does not feel particularly close. Not if he has his way.

 

The fact that Buxton is being used exclusively in center field for Team USA, despite the presence of Pete Crow-Armstrong, speaks to his well-earned reverence at the position. He's not going to relocate willingly if he's still tracking down balls that others can't, and for now, he is. It's possible that the emergence of top prospects Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez will create a tension if they clearly surpass the former Platinum Glover in defensive value, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Jenkins and Rodriguez are excellent assets to have on hand in the event that Buxton does get injured again. You never want to lose your best player, but it would open the door for one of those two to play every day in the majors if they prove ready — and Rodriguez arguably already is.

THE BAD
Buxton's chronic knee issue seems to have finally been solved, but that hardly makes him immune to getting injured in other ways, as last Friday's HBP scare in the World Baseball Classic opener reminded. In his healthiest season ever last year he still started only 118 of 162 games in center field.

Jenkins and Rodriguez are intriguing potential successors, if they prove to meet the high bar for MLB-caliber defense in center. They'll never reach Buxton's level, but few can. At this time, though, the top outfield prospects are fairly inexperienced at Triple-A, and they've had their own injury issues. (Jenkins is out this spring with a hamstring strain.)

The lack of a real short-term safety net behind Buxton, as the Twins have had in recent years, could rear its head if a need emerges early in the season. Ryan Kreidler is probably the best defensive backup if he's on the roster; he was the Opening Day starter in center for the Tigers last year. James Outman's chances of making the team hinge on his viability in center, which has looked questionable at best. Roden and Martin have gotten run this spring, but should be viewed more as emergency options than candidates to start regularly.

Center field is a hard position. It's tough to find players who truly excel there defensively, and even harder to find ones who can do that and also hit. Buxton has spoiled us. Hopefully he keeps spoiling us.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Healthy at last, Buxton has claimed his rightful place as one of the game's elite center fielders. It's a distinction corroborated by his All-Star nod, Silver Slugger, and starting spot on Team USA. His presence lends instant credibility to the Twins lineup. At some point age will start to catch to him but for the moment he's mostly outsprinting it. 

Down the line, some of the very best prospects in the Twins system will be aiming to overtake the reins in center field. Here in 2026, moving Buxton off the position doesn't seem to be on the front office's mind. His goal this season is to keep it that way.

Catch up on the rest of our roster preview series:

• Twins 2026 Position Analysis: Catcher
• Twins 2026 Position Analysis: First Base
• Twins 2026 Position Analysis: Second Base
• Twins 2026 Position Analysis: Third Base
• Twins 2026 Position Analysis: Shortstop
• Twins 2026 Position Analysis: Left Field

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[rdehring]

Love this young man and look forward to his playing his entire career with the Twins.  And wouldn't it be nice to see him playing for a ring some year down the road?

[jmlease1]

Byron Buxton patrolling CF is arguably the best reason to watch the Twins this year. He's one of my favorite Twins of all-time, one of the most exciting players the Twins have ever had. Sucks that's he's had so many injury issues, but when he plays (and he seems to have finally been able to play without pain last season, huzzah!) he is a delight to watch. Buxton's homers are great, but it's even better when he rips one into the gap and starts flying around the bases. Or when he pokes a single into RF or LF that makes the fielder have to move a little to chase down and suddenly the defender realizes they have to really hustle or Buck is going to leg it into a double.

I think CF will be in good shape beyond Buxton soon; both Rodriguez and Jenkins can handle the position just fine. Rodriguez is probably the better CF, but his history of picking up frequent dings might be a reason to look to Jenkins, who isn't as good out there but still should be above average. Either way, they are not far off, and I would think if Byron (knock on wood!) goes down for an extended period they would get a call up, presuming one doesn't make the opening day roster. (me, I would have Rodriguez in MLB from the jump)

There's sufficient coverage from Martin & Roden for now if Rodriguez isn't considered ready yet, and I think Outman would land in AAA if he gets cut and we really need more insurance.

The Twins have OF options, especially if the prospects graduate and are allowed to play...

[jimmiexx]

Last year when the Twins were faltering down the stretch and hoping they wouldn't lose 100 games, the only reason to watch, imo, was if Buck would hit a homer.

He hit 35. Wow. 

We are spoiled to get to see one of the most electrifying players in the game on this crap team.

 

[GNess]

Byron Buxton is a special talent and the latest in a fairly long line of great Twins' CF. He provides an entertainment factor with his all out style. 

The players in waiting (or development if you prefer) Rodriguez and Jenkins look ready (Rodriguez) and close (Jenkins). With Buxton in CF (if healthy) there isn't a regular CF role available so it seems prudent to give Rodriguez the opportunity to play LF or RF for now - wonder why is he being sent down.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

20 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Byron Buxton patrolling CF is arguably the best reason to watch the Twins this year. He's one of my favorite Twins of all-time, one of the most exciting players the Twins have ever had. Sucks that's he's had so many injury issues, but when he plays (and he seems to have finally been able to play without pain last season, huzzah!) he is a delight to watch. Buxton's homers are great, but it's even better when he rips one into the gap and starts flying around the bases. Or when he pokes a single into RF or LF that makes the fielder have to move a little to chase down and suddenly the defender realizes they have to really hustle or Buck is going to leg it into a double.

I think CF will be in good shape beyond Buxton soon; both Rodriguez and Jenkins can handle the position just fine. Rodriguez is probably the better CF, but his history of picking up frequent dings might be a reason to look to Jenkins, who isn't as good out there but still should be above average. Either way, they are not far off, and I would think if Byron (knock on wood!) goes down for an extended period they would get a call up, presuming one doesn't make the opening day roster. (me, I would have Rodriguez in MLB from the jump)

There's sufficient coverage from Martin & Roden for now if Rodriguez isn't considered ready yet, and I think Outman would land in AAA if he gets cut and we really need more insurance.

The Twins have OF options, especially if the prospects graduate and are allowed to play...

Is it genuinely arguable?

[D.C Twins]

Free Buck... Makes sense for him and the Twins to trade him at the deadline to a contender.

I would love to see him playing for a championship contender and the Twins with more talented youth that better approximate the timelines for our next 'competitive window.'

Given how unpopular this opinion is likely to be, time to .... 

[IndianaTwin]

27 minutes ago, GNess said:

Byron Buxton is a special talent and the latest in a fairly long line of great Twins' CF. He provides an entertainment factor with his all out style. 

The players in waiting (or development if you prefer) Rodriguez and Jenkins look ready (Rodriguez) and close (Jenkins). With Buxton in CF (if healthy) there isn't a regular CF role available so it seems prudent to give Rodriguez the opportunity to play LF or RF for now - wonder why is he being sent down.

Aside from other factors (presence of optionless Outman/relatively modest number of games in AAA/service time considerations), it seems like a reason to send Rodriguez down is the opportunity to play LF or RF in St. Paul. In his minor league career, he has 2076 innings in CF, but only 107 (less than 12 games) in RF and 32 (less than 4 games) in LF. 

I think it will be an interesting tell to see how he is used in St. Paul. Hopefully it includes a reasonable amount of time in one of the corners.

And the same for Jenkins, for that matter. He's got 859.2 innings in CF, along with 61.1 in RF and 17 in LF.  

[jmlease1]

26 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Is it genuinely arguable?

You could argue for Joe Ryan starting? Keaschall certainly gets some (deserved) love. And there's probably some people that would argue the best reason to watch the Twins this year is to see how the prospects do?

For me, it'll be Buxton, who seems to want to spend his entire career here, and I hope to hell it happens. I'd rather pass on the supposed trade value and keep one of the most electrifying players I've ever seen play the game, a guy who brings joy and excitement to the ballpark every time. (and I hope he's as good a dude off the field as he seems to be. because he seems like a pretty good dude.)

[Nshore]

About time Gonzalez and Rodriguez were sent down. The Twins don't need any high minded ideas about getting hits with men on base and such.  34 years without a WS appearance, and let's keep it going.

The expectations will be Larnach-Outman-Wallner, or LOW.

Byron will just have to wait some more.

 

[mikelink45]

If Buxton gets injured and will be out for any extended time the prospects are the only thing that makes sense!

[thelanges5]

I updated the usage tracker for centerfield from Nick‘s article on Sunday through Tuesday’s projected lineup. Roden has picked up one start and Martin added two in the past three days. Our best defensive OF would be Buck, Roden, Martin, and Outman. Which brings us back to one of the ongoing head scratchers of the past six months. - where do Larnach and Wallner fit?

Center Field

• James Outman: 5x
• Alan Roden: 4x
• Austin Martin: 4x
• Ryan Kreidler: 1x

[DocBauer]

Absolutely LOVE watching Buck play! He's always been dynamite when healthy and I'm just so glad that he's finally found consistently good health the past 2 seasons. He's an absolute joy to watch and it sure looks like he's got a few more good seasons left in him. I mean, he's barely lost a step at 31yo. 

ABSOLUTELY want him to play his entire career with the Twins.

Depth wise, I really don't understand why Roden couldn't be the #2 for the occasional day off, with Martin as sort of an emergency #3 option. Should Buck have any sort of injury that would keep him out for a couple weeks, Rodriguez is already on the 40 man, and it probably wouldn't be hard to add Jenkins to the 40 man either. 

Long term depth, Rodriguez and Jenkins aren't going to be in Buxton territory, but they appear to be very capable. Honestly, if the bat comes around over the next couple.if seasons, I'm not so sure Winokur might not be the best future replacement for CF. But with 4 picks in the top 80 or so in the next draft, I wouldn't mind a young CF prospect to be added.

[bean5302]

10 hours ago, Nshore said:

About time Gonzalez and Rodriguez were sent down. The Twins don't need any high minded ideas about getting hits with men on base and such.  34 years without a WS appearance, and let's keep it going.

The expectations will be Larnach-Outman-Wallner, or LOW.

Byron will just have to wait some more.

 

Emma's striking out 43% against MiLB guys and roster filler.

Mickey Gasper was .308/.417/.487 OPS .904 wRC+ 141 in Spring Training last year. This year, he's .400/.500/.842 OPS .1342 wRC+ 231. 

Can't wait for Gasper's MVP this year. Holding my breath.

[RaoulDuke]

I am bummed Buxton is not the starter for the WBC.

[Jeff K]

19 hours ago, thelanges5 said:

I updated the usage tracker for centerfield from Nick‘s article on Sunday through Tuesday’s projected lineup. Roden has picked up one start and Martin added two in the past three days. Our best defensive OF would be Buck, Roden, Martin, and Outman. Which brings us back to one of the ongoing head scratchers of the past six months. - where do Larnach and Wallner fit?

Center Field

• James Outman: 5x
• Alan Roden: 4x
• Austin Martin: 4x
• Ryan Kreidler: 1x

At the game on Monday and Martin was in CF.  He looked confident and made a couple of nice plays including a good throw from right center field to keep the runner from advancing.  Of course, Larnach was in RF which is why it was Martin who had to make the play.  I can't stop taking shots at Larnach's defensive "prowess".

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, Jeff K said:

At the game on Monday and Martin was in CF.  He looked confident and made a couple of nice plays including a good throw from right center field to keep the runner from advancing.  Of course, Larnach was in RF which is why it was Martin who had to make the play.  I can't stop taking shots at Larnach's defensive "prowess".

Larnach was pretty solid before the foot injuries. Wasn't quick, but the range wasn't terrible and he had a good arm and catch the ball well. Ever since the turf toe he looks more like he's 38 than 28 out there. It's a bummer.

Nice to hear Martin looking solid in CF. He's had the tools, but looked uncertain out there. 

[Jeff K]

4 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Larnach was pretty solid before the foot injuries. Wasn't quick, but the range wasn't terrible and he had a good arm and catch the ball well. Ever since the turf toe he looks more like he's 38 than 28 out there. It's a bummer.

Nice to hear Martin looking solid in CF. He's had the tools, but looked uncertain out there. 

I commented on another post in more depth about his problems.  To your point, his mobility is greatly diminished.  The Twins have 3 position players who should only DH (Wallner, Larnach & Bell).  This is a poorly constructed team.