Atlanta Braves: Who are their 3 best DH options for 2020?

While Nick Markakis’ versatility and veteran savvy will be huge plus for this team, just like the high-end upside of Austin Riley in the batter’s box, the best designated hitter option for the Braves this season may be newcomer Marcell Ozuna. The former Miami Marlins outfielder spent the last two years playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.

The idea behind signing Ozuna was he’d be able to provide similar power numbers that Josh Donaldson did in the middle of the Braves’ lineup last year at third base. Since Ozuna is on a one-year deal with the club, the Braves will want to get the most out of talent before he hits free agency again. One would think he’d play every game if he possibly could, at DH or not.

So with Ozuna the Braves are getting a combination of the veteran baseball savvy of Markakis, as well as the pop from the right-handed side of the plate in Riley. One thing that might be getting overlooked here a bit is defensive metrics in the outfield. Though Ozuna isn’t a liability in the field, Markakis, Ender Inciarte and Ronald Acuña Jr. are known for the glove work around the league.

So if the Braves want to get bang for their buck, they’ll need to play Ozuna as close to ever day as possible. He may play a good bit in the field, but he may have greater value for Atlanta at the plate. If the Braves do this right, they will be well equipped to orchestrate a deep run in October. Braves Country can only hope for that sort of thing in what has been a crazy year for us all.