MLB All-Star claims Mike Trout, Luis Robert and Byron Buxton are high-risk, high-reward center fielders

Los Angeles Angels slugger Mike Trout has landed fifth in the MLB's list of top 10 center fielders in the league. Former All-Star Chris Young agrees with his position on the list.

The 33-year-old outfielder has struggled with injuries, which has led many to assume that his best is behind him. Discussing this year's list of top center fielders on the MLB Network, Young defended Trout's value on the field, though:

"There's a few guys - we have Luis Robert, Byron Buxton and Mike Trout. We have three guys who are high reward but there is some risk as far as if they're gonna be healthy or not. If they are healthy, all three of those guys, I'm taking Mike Trout every time. Because if he's healthy, he's number 1 next year. No doubt in my mind."

Over a career spanning more than a decade, Mike Trout has proved that he's one of the best players of his generation.

However, the slugger made more than 100 appearances only once in the last five MLB seasons due to a series of injuries. That has led to a lot of criticism from fans and analysts who believe that he can no longer produce at the same level.

Nevertheless, as his former teammate and All-Star Chris Young pointed out, Trout is still putting up impressive numbers when he's fit enough to play.

Despite being restricted to 111 games since the start of 2023, the Angels star has a .504 slugging percentage, which is the highest in the MLB in that period. Young also pointed to Byron Buxton and Luis Robert as similar players who have struggled with injuties but still maintained a high level when fit enough to play.

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Jackson Merrill edges Mike Trout in fan list of top 10 in center field

MLB has an annual tradition to naming the top 10 players in each position, a list put together by their analytics team, known as 'The Shredder'.

Mike Trout has been a mainstay in the list for years and finished fifth this year (his lowest ranking ever), while Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez took top spot. A similar list has been put together based on fans' voting, where Trout came in second, behind the San Diego Padres' Jackson Merrill.

Despite his injuries over the years, it's clear that Trout remains an elite player in the MLB with plenty of fuel left in the tank. He has always been well loved by fans, so it's no surprise to see him finish second in the fan list of top active center fielders.