Colorado Rockies Countdown: Top Five Center Fielders

4.  Juan Pierre (2000-2002, fWAR 3.6)

Speedster and fan favorite Juan Pierre comes in on our list as the fourth-best center fielder to dawn purple pinstripes. According to Fangraphs DEF statistic which measures a player’s defensive value relative to the league average, Pierre scores an impressive 16.2. To put Pierre’s DEF in perspective, the next closest center fielder is a guy named Mark Little who scores a DEF of 2.9.

Juan was no slouch at the dish either. Out of any other Rockies’ player with over 200 plate appearances in their Colorado career, Pierre ranks first in K percentage, striking out in only 6.2 percent of his at-bats. In 2001 Juan only stuck out every 21.3 at-bats, which is a franchise single-season record. Pierre holds the same record for the course of a Rockies career, only striking out once every 14.7 at-bats.

Being a contact hitter tends to work out well and as a result, Pierre ranks second among franchise center fielders with a .308 career average. In case you’re wondering, Darryl Hamilton ranks first at .315. Pierre didn’t bring any power to the position as he hit only three home runs in his Colorado career. It was Pierre’s blazing speed that allowed him to steal his way into Rockies fans hearts. In 2001 campaign Pierre led the league with 46 stolen bases, a feat he’d accomplish three times in his 14-year career.

Pierre was able to accomplish amazing things during his short Rockies career. Feats that he would consistently meet over and over during a long big league career. After leaving Colorado, Pierre would go on to play in 810 straight games, lead the universe in hits on two occasions, triples once and finish in the top-ten of the MVP race once.  Juan holds the Rockies record for singles in a season with 163.

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