5 MLB players who could benefit most from universal DH

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets looks on from the field during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on August 18, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: Dominic Smith #2 of the New York Mets looks on from the field during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on August 18, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 21: Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies hits a RBI double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning at Coors Field on September 21, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 21: Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies hits a RBI double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning at Coors Field on September 21, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

4. Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon

While his performance last season suggests that Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon is beginning to decline, he is still just two years removed from an All Star appearance and a 32 home run showing.

Blackmon, 35, is a four-time All Star and finished as high as 5th in the NL MVP voting back in 2017. He is a yearly threat to hit .300 and post double-digit home run totals. Although last season was a down year in regards to his power, it’s a reasonable assumption to make that he still has some thump left in the tank.

On defense, Blackmon has appeared exclusively in right field for the past three years and 2021 was his rock bottom as far as defensive metrics. He finished in just the third percentile in OAA and eighth percentile in his routing metrics. Blackmon did not make a single “5 star” catch per StatCast in over 1,100 innings last year.

As things currently stand, the Rockies have both Yonathan Daza, Raimel Tapia, and Ryan Vilade on hand to replace Blackmon in right field as he makes his transition to full-time DH.