In the NL East, the center field position, at least at the highest level, is a story of haves and have-nots, with FanGraphs projecting three teams (Braves, Nationals, and Mets) comprising the upper half of the National League and the latter two clubs (Marlins and Phillies) bringing up the rear and second-to-rear spots.

Assessing minor-league depth doesn’t shake up the arrangement much, though it certainly adds to the conversation, with some teams in far better shape going forward than others. With all this in mind, here are the 2020 NL East positional rankings for center field! Starting at the bottom:

5. Philadelphia Phillies

If Andrew McCutchen were still capable of patrolling center field, there could certainly be an argument out of the cellar for the Phillies. Unfortunately for them, they simply have more corner outfield bats than they need and little to no inspiration where outfield defense matters most.

Adam Haseley figures to garner the most at-bats in 2020, but he only has 67 big-league games (and a .344 BABIP) to his name, and only 315 innings in center field to stand on. He’s projected to post a measly 0.6 fWAR as the glove-first candidate, but if his offense drags enough, Philadelphia may have some trouble adjusting.

Roman Quinn, who put up a .668 OPS in 44 games last year, and Scott Kingery, who regressed terribly during the second half last year, both figure to be next in line, though the former is on his last minor-league option and the latter is already slated to start at second base. But hey, there’s always Odubel Herrera!

4. Miami Marlins

There’s a bright future in center field for the Miami Marlins. Monte Harrison, Jesus Sanchez, and Victor Victor Mesa all have a shot in the coming years at holding down the position for the next five. unfortunately, the current scenario is pretty nebulous.

They figure to give speedy middle infielder Jonathan Villar the most games in center field, though he only has six to his name dating back to 2017. Jon Berti could be an interesting alternative if his first 270 plate appearances at the end of last year can translate a second time around.

Lewis Brinson, who has since been dispatched to play right field, could find his way back, but it won’t mean much if he’s still batting below the Mendoza line. Another former top prospect, Magneuris Sierra, could also get a shot, but the 24-year old is already out of options, so Miami can’t afford to miss theirs.

All in all, the Marlins have a handful of options that are intriguing for a rebuilding team, but would never mesh with a team intent on winning a division. They can really only hope for short-term results out of one or two heads.

3. Washington Nationals

The Nationals are evidently very high on former top-10 prospect Victor Robles, and considering the 22-year old posted a 23 DRS in center last season, I can’t say I blame them. After never topping 10 homers in a minor-league season, Robles mashed 17 in his first extended taste the majors.

Sitting in the 95th percentile in sprint speed could also take his 28 steals last year a step further, but there’s still work to be done with the bat. Robles is in the 10th percentile in both xBA and xSLG, and his average exit velocity last year, out of 250 qualified hitters, ranked 249th (only ahead of Billy Hamilton).

The homers suggest there’s a potent bat somewhere in there, but Washington seems dead-set on extracting that potential… so much so that they’ve foregone really any appropriate depth measures. Michael A. Taylor has averaged a 72 wRC+ the last two seasons, and spent most of the year in Double-A Harrisburg. Andrew Stevenson has put up much more convincing numbers (.486 OBP in 30 games off the bench last year), but he’s also done so at a much smaller clip. The Nats have essentially put all of their stock in Robles, but they’re also banking on his growth.

2. New York Mets

So long as Brandon Nimmo stays on the field, the Mets should get sufficient production out of center field. However, as the case is with a few of their other positions, they’re definitely operating on extremes, and the depth (or lack thereof) makes it hard to fully commit to the position as a force to be reckoned with in the division.

Nimmo makes up for his stiff defensive figures with a hardened ability to get on base, whereas both Jake Marisnick and Ryan Cordell make up for their respective inabilities to get on base with exemplary athleticism in center field. The prospect of Nimmo running into an IL stint – as lethal as he expects to be when healthy – should definitely worry fans given the lack of sufficient everyday replacements.

The best solution to protect the lineup would arguably be moving Michael Conforto to center field and putting one of J.D. Davis or Dominic Smith in right field, but even this measure compromises their defense pretty badly. Not having any outfield prospects doesn’t make matters any better. A lot like the Nationals, the Mets are really putting all their eggs in the basket of their lone starter, but fortunately for New York, Nimmo has already done things at the big-league level that Robles hasn’t.

1. Atlanta Braves

Unfortunately for the other four teams, this one really isn’t a contest. FanGraphs ranks the Braves’ center field alignment as the sixth-best in all of baseball, and it really only starts with the fact that Ronald Acuna Jr.is one of their options.

All told, Acuna currently slots into right, and two-time Gold Glover Ender Inciarte into center, though any offensive signs of life from veteran right fielder Nick Markakis could turn center field into a mix-and-match between the former two. Acuna’s standing need not be elaborated beyond his 5.6 fWAR and 11 DRS in the outfield last season, but Inciarte’s merits as a part-time player are also substantial. His .151 ISO in 65 games last year would have made for a career-high, and his .931 OPS in his first month off the IL during the second half could be encouraging in limited doses.

What makes Atlanta’s outfield even more special is the minor-league depth. They have not one, but two center fielders cracking MLB Pipeline‘s top 25 prospects in Cristian Pache and Drew Waters. Among one of the best farms in all of baseball, Pache and Waters both make the upper echelon, and Pache could be the next Braves farmhand to receive a call to the bigs if he continues to improve.

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