San Francisco Giants: Top 10 Center Fielders in Franchise History

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Jul 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a San Francisco Giants baseball hat and glove during the game between the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Giants 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: George Van Haltren, 25.1 WAR

Van Haltren is the first player on the list in the twenties for WAR with the Giants. Van Haltren wasn’t necessarily an elite player of his time, but he was still a solid professional. Multiple years in a Giants uniform always helps the WAR total. And if you are hovering above 2 or 3 WAR a season on average, your numbers with said team should be pretty good. Van Haltren’s .414 slugging percentage gives him a “slugger of the times” title. He amassed 312 extra base hits with the Giants, mainly doubles.

Van Haltren also had a .321 batting average in his time with the Giants, and is the first player on this list to have amassed more than one thousand hits in their time with the Giants. Despite Van Haltren’s hitting ability, he actually was a decent pitcher.

Van Haltren only threw 22 innnings in his time with the Giants, but his pitching numbers elsewhere are quite interesting. His best season pitching, statistically came with the Chicago Cubs, where he threw 245 innings and had a 3.56 ERA. Crazy!

Van Haltren won’t be known for his pitching prowess in a Giants uniform. However, he had many good years as a centerfielder for the Giants and deserves this place on the list.