Kevin Kiermaier snubs Daulton Varsho for top spot in defensive rankings, igniting debate
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Victor William
Feb 8, 2026 (2:35 PM)
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Photo credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
Kevin Kiermaier, the recently retired wizard of center field, has released his top five defensive center fielders list, and his former teammate Daulton Varsho didn't take the gold medal.
The list, revealed on MLB Network, has sparked immediate conversation across the league.
Kiermaier, who won four Gold Gloves himself, knows a thing or two about patrolling the outfield.
But in a surprising twist, he placed Chicago Cubs phenom Pete Crow-Armstrong at number one, relegating Varsho to the second spot.
Kevin Kiermaier's top five defensive center fielders:
1. Pete Crow-Armstrong
2. Daulton Varsho
3. Brenton Doyle
4. Jacob Young
5. Michael Harris II<
1. Pete Crow-Armstrong
2. Daulton Varsho
3. Brenton Doyle
4. Jacob Young
5. Michael Harris II<
Varsho (Trade from Arizona, 2022) is coming off a 2025 season where he once again dominated defensive metrics.
He led all outfielders in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) for the third consecutive year, making the snub even more baffling to Blue Jays fans.
Kiermaier’s rationale? He couldn't justify ranking Varsho first because he only played 68 games in the field last season due to injuries.
"He's this generation's Kevin Kiermaier," the former Jay said of Varsho, offering a massive compliment while simultaneously handing the crown to someone else.
It feels like a "technicality" snub, but it still stings for a fanbase that watches Varsho perform miracles nightly.
The new kid on the block is undeniably special
Pete Crow-Armstrong isn't just hype; the kid is a walking highlight reel.
Crow-Armstrong (Drafted Round 1, 2020 by Mets) posted elite numbers in 2025, playing 156 games and showing range that rivals Kiermaier in his prime.
He’s younger, faster, and played a full season, which clearly tipped the scales in Kiermaier's eyes.
Rounding out the list were Brenton Doyle (Rockies), Jacob Young (Nationals), and Michael Harris II (Braves).
It’s a "who's who" of elite leather flashers, but Varsho's exclusion from the top spot feels personal to Toronto.
Kiermaier’s opinion carries weight, but let’s be real: when healthy, nobody tracks a fly ball like Daulton Varsho.
Perhaps this is just the bulletin board material Varsho needs to reclaim his throne in 2026.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 8|356 ANSWERS Kevin Kiermaier snubs Daulton Varsho for top spot in defensive rankings, igniting debate Do you agree with Kevin Kiermaier that Pete Crow-Armstrong is currently a better defender than Daulton Varsho? | ||
| Yes | 86 | 24.2 % |
| No | 270 | 75.8 % |
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