Fantasy Baseball 2019: How Would A Universal DH Affect Values?

If a universal DH is implemented into baseball, how would it affect fantasy baseball and players’ values?

The MLB and MLBPA are working on ways to speed up the game of baseball. With a possible work stoppage coming at the end of the 2020 season, things need to change soon. We’ve already seen a limit on mound visits but it hasn’t been enough. One of the possible changes would be implementing a universal DH across both leagues. If that happens, how would that affect fantasy baseball?

Some of the other proposed rules are a three-batter minimum for pitchers, a 20-second pitch clock, smaller expanded rosters, punishing teams for tanking, and others. These rules will affect baseball in one way or another but I think the universal DH will have the biggest impact on fantasy baseball.

The obvious impact would be removing pitchers from the batting order. Some managers use this spot strategically for a sacrifice bunt. Most of the time, though, the batting pitcher stands there for three pitches, maybe swings at one, and walks back to the bench.

In this alternate league, there would be a DH in the lineup instead. As a result, we could see more runs and RBIs, especially in the National League. The AL scored 10,999 runs and racked up 10,490 RBIs while the NL scored 10,631 runs and drove in 10,116 last season.

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Fantasy owners may have to devalue some National League pitchers as well. The NL posted a 4.02 ERA and 1.296 WHIP in just under 22,000 innings. The AL, on the other hand, posted a 4.27 ERA and 1.312 WHIP in 21,660 innings. With batters selling out contact for power and striking out more, we could see a rise in the ratio stats among the NL pitchers.

The elite pitchers would cost even more on draft day. With ratios likely to go up, top-tier starters and relievers alike will be drafted earlier than normal. You don’t want a starting rotation with pitchers all having ERAs above 3.50. That won’t win you a championship.

If, and when, a DH is established in the NL, the 15 teams will have more options for lineup construction. Our friends at Redbird Rants say that Jose Martinez would be the perfect DH for the Cardinals. He has 20-home run power, a high batting average and a high strikeout rate. Roster Resource currently projects him as a bench player. They can still keep Marcell Ozuna, Dexter Fowler and Harrison Bader in the lineup while benefitting from Martinez’s bat.

Another example is the Colorado Rockies. With the additions of Daniel Murphy and Mark Reynolds, they could have a power explosion in the lineup instead of wasting the No. 9 spot on the pitcher. A lineup with Murphy, Reynolds (despite being 35 years old), Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, Trevor Story, David Dahl and Ian Desmond could break records.

Projections would go through the roof with another serviceable bat in the lineup. It would also help fantasy owners in deeper leagues. Those extra bats could help you win a championship.

If there were a DH in the National League, maybe Manny Machado and Bryce Harper would have signed by now. We’ve seen defensively-challenged and injury-prone players make a killing as a career DH. David Ortiz was a 10-time All-Star as a DH. The BWAA just elected career-DH Edgar Martinez to the Hall of Fame.

If Rob Manfred and the MLB offices are worried about lowered attendance rates and a possible strike, then adding a DH to the National League could help. It definitely would make a big impact for fantasy baseball.

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I don’t think it happens this season. We are too close to Opening Day for it to be properly implemented. We’ll get it throughout the season when NL teams visit AL teams. But, on a permanent basis, we should see it next season.

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