2020 MLB Season: Predicting each team’s DH
Who will be the DH for each NL team during the 2020 MLB season?
So you’re saying there’s a chance? Yes, Lloyd Christmas there is indeed a chance that we will have a 2020 MLB season!
The latest that has been reported is a conversation face to face between MLBPA president Tony Clark and commissioner Rob Manfred with a proposal to be around 60 games with prorated salaries.
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The proposal also includes the use of a universal designated hitter for this season and for the 2021 season – the current collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of 2021.
With that in mind, there are things we still don’t know about the season in terms of telling the players ‘when and where’, but it gives us the opportunity to predict a few things.
The American League has had the DH in its league since 1973. It is the one major difference between the two leagues.
The National League has rumored to be adopting the DH as well in recent years but nothing has been agreed upon until now. Right now, the NL only uses DH during spring training, the all-star game, and in AL parks during the regular season.
But now that it is going to be a formality, who will represent the pitcher in the batting order for each NL team?
Predicting each team’s designated hitter in NL East for the 2020 MLB season.
- Atlanta Braves: Nick Markakis/Marcell Ozuna
- Miami Marlins: Garrett Cooper
- New York Mets: Yoenis Cespedes
- Philadelphia Phillies: Jay Bruce
- Washington Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman
The Braves might have been the toughest one to choose a singular player so I opted for both Markakis, who is 36 and has seen his defensive skills decline in the years, and Ozuna, the former gold glover who is… certainly not that anymore. Either one could play left and rotate with the other depending on matchups.
The Marlins have a few good options after adding veterans Corey Dickerson and Jesus Aguilar. With Brian Anderson moving to right field, Cooper has the best chance to swing the twig and prove he has the power that was scouted. Reminder; the Marlins acquired him in the Giancarlo Stanton trade.
The Mets would be best served with Cespedes doing as little fielding as possible while he is recovering from another injury. If he can hit like he did during the 2015 season during their World Series run, the Mets serve to be a much better offense with him in it.
Philly’s mid-season addition of Bruce came in handy last year when Andrew McCutchen went down with an injury and Odubel Herrera was suspended and released. Bruce is the logical candidate but could easily rotate with McCutchen.
The Nationals are going to get every last bit of Zimmerman out of him before he completes his current one-year deal. It’s tough to say when or if he will retire but the 35-year-old still has power left in him which is much needed after Anthony Rendon’s departure.
Predicting each team’s designated hitter in NL Central for the 2020 MLB season.
- Chicago Cubs: David Bote
- Cincinnati Reds: Nicholas Castellanos
- Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Braun
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Jose Osuna
- St. Louis Cardinals: Matt Carpenter
I considered Kyle Schwarber for the Cubs but since he has slimmed down his defense has improved. Plus it is difficult to take his arm out of play. Bote is the logical option and serves as the ultimate utility if any of the regulars need the day off.
Cincinnati’s newest addition is also not the best fielder. Castellanos would better serve as DH so that both Shogo Akiyama and Aristedes Aquino can see the field and the lineup. The outfield depth for the Reds makes this a simpler choice than most.
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The Hebrew Hammer has been all over the field in his career but has never been a great defender. With Justin Smoak now taking first base and Avisail Garcia taking left field, Braun’s bat can still be used in the lineup without putting wear on the 36-year-old.
Pittsburgh has moved on from a lot of their former core with Starling Marte being the latest piece to be moved. Osuna is young and has plenty of talent at the plate. He would be the best candidate if not Gregory Polanco.
Carpenter has seen his plate appearances diminish in recent years and more so with the rise of Tommy Edman and the resurgence of Kolten Wong. Carpenter can still make contact but he won’t be the top of the order threat he used to be. Hopefully, his salsa can help get his average back to the high .200’s.
Predicting each team’s designated hitter in NL West for the 2020 MLB season.
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Jake Lamb
- Colorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon
- Los Angeles Dodgers: AJ Pollock
- San Diego Padres: Wil Myers
- San Francisco Giants: Hunter Pence
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Arizona spent the offseason collecting the perfect pieces to solidify maybe one of the better team defenses in baseball. That, unfortunately, meant no room for Lamb. Lamb has struggled with injuries as well but if he can find the power numbers from his all-star season in 2017, the Dbacks will be a threat in the west.
Colorado, on the opposite end, has had poor defense outside of Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story. Blackmon doesn’t have a fantastic arm and struggles in his newly positioned right field. His spectacular bat is best served in the lineup and it can make room for Sam Hilliard who is young and much quicker in the outfield.
The Dodgers have a surplus of depth in the outfield with the addition of Mookie Betts. Their outfield defense is best served without the aging Pollock, but if he can stay healthy he is able to provide a clutch at-bat or two in the latter part of the order. The Dodgers are already a deadly lineup, Pollock just adds to it.
San Diego does not have that depth – at least anymore – but Myers is a defensive liability regardless. Franchy Cordero or Josh Naylor would be better in that spot and the Padres need to get their money’s worth out of Myers in some fashion.
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The Giants have given Pence a second chance after his prove-it year with Texas. He at first was the obvious platoon option with Alex Dickerson in left, but if the DH is available it is his for the taking. The rest of the field is set and Pence’s bat is a welcome addition if they can have it every game.