Whether a player can stay up the middle is always a key question when it comes to evaluating and acquiring prospects. The face of "up the middle," however, is usually the shortstop because, as the old adage goes, you can play him anywhere.
Many players have the speed to profile in center field. But the players who innately cover ground — who show the jumps, instincts, and routes indicative of a true center fielder — are few and far between. The 2027 prep hitter class is already looking like a standout in the early going. While the shortstops occupy the headlines, there's a strong group of true center fielders who've built a genuine up-the-middle pedigree. And while none of them have hammered their names in as bona fide top-tier talents yet, they've got the tools to get there — or at least into Day 1.