Cuban baseball player Andy Pagés continued to build on what is turning out to be the best season of his career on Wednesday by hitting his 18th home run of the 2026 season for the Los Angeles Dodgers. This solo shot came off Seattle Mariners pitcher Emerson Hancock.
This home run was more than just another offensive statistic; it cemented Pagés' position as the third-ranked center fielder in MLB for the 2026 season in terms of fWAR (Wins Above Replacement), with a score of 3.3, according to analyst Francys Romero.
The fWAR metric is highly regarded in modern baseball as it combines offensive, defensive, and base-running contributions to gauge how many wins a player adds over a minor-league-level replacement.
MLB's Top Center Fielders by fWAR
The leaderboard for center fielders as of Wednesday stood as follows:
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (Chicago Cubs) — 7.0 fWAR
- Ceddanne Rafaela (Boston Red Sox) — 3.4 fWAR
- Andy Pagés (Los Angeles Dodgers) — 3.3 fWAR
A 3.3 fWAR by late July is considered All-Star caliber, showcasing that Pagés not only hits with power but also excels defensively.
A Season of Continuous Growth
The 2026 season has been a steady climb for the player from Pinar del Río since it began. In April, he led the entire MLB with a batting average of .413 and was the first in the league to reach 20 RBIs, despite having only five home runs at that point.
On May 7, he made headlines against the Houston Astros by hitting three home runs and driving in six runs in a single game, bringing his totals to eight homers and 33 RBIs.
July saw him make his first appearance at the MLB All-Star Game, held on the 14th at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park, where he started as the National League's center fielder. Pagés was one of seven Cubans to participate in the 2026 All-Star event, alongside Yordan Álvarez, Aroldis Chapman, Raisel Iglesias, Randy Arozarena, Yandy Díaz, and Miguel Vargas.
A Promising Career Ahead
Born in Havana on December 8, 2000, Pagés signed with the Dodgers as an international prospect in 2018 at the age of 17, making his MLB debut on April 16, 2024.
In the previous season, he posted a .272 average with 27 home runs and 86 RBIs, shining in the World Series. Over his career, he has accumulated 55 home runs, 190 RBIs, and a .264 regular-season batting average.
With 18 home runs already and outstanding performances offensively and defensively, Pagés is on track to surpass his 2025 campaign, aiming to finish the year as one of the most well-rounded outfielders in the league.
Questions About Andy Pagés' 2026 MLB Season
What makes Andy Pagés' 2026 season stand out?
Pagés' 2026 season is remarkable due to his 18 home runs, his All-Star appearance, and his impressive 3.3 fWAR, which ranks him among the top center fielders in MLB.
How did Andy Pagés perform in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game?
Andy Pagés was a starting center fielder for the National League in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, marking his first appearance in this prestigious event.