Fansided

Taking a look at every National League team’s DH situation

By Sean Sears

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 16: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on September 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 16: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on September 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
VENICE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 28: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves at bat during the spring training game against the New York Yankees at Cool Today Park on February 28, 2020 in Venice, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
VENICE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 28: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves at bat during the spring training game against the New York Yankees at Cool Today Park on February 28, 2020 in Venice, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

NL East

Philadelphia Phillies

DH Options: Jay Bruce/Rhys Hoskins

The Phillies should benefit greatly from the DH since it allows them to play their top prospect first baseman Alec Bohm, who was being blocked at first by Rhys Hoskins. Hoskins has been OK at first but since it’s Bohm’s natural position it would make sense to push him to the DH. But it also allows the Phillies to sneak in Jay Bruce’s power bat without compromising their defensive alignment. The DH should let the Phillies rest players like JT Realmuto and also help them find more at-bats for guys like Bruce and Bohm in 2020.

Miami Marlins

DH Options: Matt Kemp, maybe?

The Marlins are another team that doesn’t expect to improve much on their 2019 season and doesn’t have a clear power bat for the DH spot. However, veteran Matt Kemp did sign a minor league contract with the club back in December at age 35. Kemp was an All-Star in 2018 with the Dodgers and hit 21 and 19 home runs with the Dodgers and Braves prior to his poor showing with the Reds last season.

But if Kemp ends up not making the Marlins roster, shortstop prospect Jazz Chisholm could make sense as a designated hitter, especially since his defense has been a concern throughout his development in the minors. But Chisholm has plenty of power potential mashing 28 and then 21 home runs in 2018 and 2019, adding him to a Marlins lineup that is devoid of power makes plenty of sense.

New York Mets

DH Options: Robinson Cano/Yoenis Cespedes

The Mets have had such a strange offseason but the designated hitter being added to the National League might be the best news they’ve gotten in a long time. Adding the DH allows them to continue to play veteran second baseman Robinson Cano without having to worry that his defense is going to hurt the team. The options behind Cano at second are still not great with the Jed Lowrie, who might be one of the worst signings in Mets’ history, making it easy to forget how impressive his 2017-18 seasons were with Oakland.

The designated hitter would also let Yoenis Cespedes take his time getting ready to play the field while also getting his power in the lineup, something the Mets have missed since their impressive World Series run in 2015.

Washington Nationals

DH Options: Ryan Zimmerman/Eric Thames

The Nationals’ impressive depth was one of the biggest reasons they managed to navigate the 2019 postseason from the Wild Card play-in game all the way to their first World Series title in team history. This season, the Nationals still have depth on their roster but did manage to add veterans in first baseman Eric Thames and middle infielder Starlin Castro. Fellow veterans Ryan Zimmerman and Howie Kendricks are likely to platoon with those players, but either Zimmerman or Thames makes sense at DH.

Washington could also just use the DH to allow top prospect Carter Kieboom some extra at-bats he would have missed out on as a bench player. Plenty of options for the Nats at DH as they attempt to repeat as champions.

Atlanta Braves

DH Options: Marcell Ozuna/Adam Duvall

The Braves adding Marcell Ozuna this offseason looks like a much better move now that the DH has come to the National League, as Ozuna went from Gold Glove winner in 2017 with the Marlins to liability in left field for the Cardinals the past two seasons. The Braves could also utilize any of their bench options at the DH as well, guys like Johan Camargo or Austin Riley could fit into the DH role. Atlanta does lack a clear left-handed power bat to fill the DH spot against right-handed pitchers, but with Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, and Nick Markakis expected in the lineup regularly that shouldn’t be a concern.

Home/MLB