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Philadelphia Phillies: 3 best DH options for shortened season

By Steve Zavala

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 26: Jay Bruce #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting the game winning double in the 10th inning to beat the New York Mets 5-4 during a baseball game at Citizens Bank Park on June 26, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 26: Jay Bruce #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting the game winning double in the 10th inning to beat the New York Mets 5-4 during a baseball game at Citizens Bank Park on June 26, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 26: Jay Bruce #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting the game winning double in the 10th inning to beat the New York Mets 5-4 during a baseball game at Citizens Bank Park on June 26, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the prime candidates in 2020 to benefit the most from the new DH rule in the National League.

The new universal designated hitter rule for the 2020 season will showcase just which teams are stacked with offensive depth. Some National League teams are more than set for the new on-field dilemmas that will come over the 60-game regular season. Other teams will be at a clear disadvantage due to their lacking depth across the board.

The Philadelphia Phillies are among those with a good surplus of players who can provide pivotal at-bats as a DH. And they are sure to need it from whoever steps up to the calling. The Phillies are on the heels of a 2019 season where injuries and significant depth concerns depleted the team’s overall offensive quality. They ranked in the bottom half of the NL in home runs (215), OBP (.319) and OPS (.746).

Any production from the DH spot in the lineup can help elevate the Phillies’ offensive play to a level not seen since the glory days of the Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins coveted trio. But just who will new manager Joe Girardi choose for his primary DH? Or will he elect to go with a multitude of players to slot into the position?

The team has plenty of options, but these three hitters likely may play a significant factor in just how well they make the most out of the DH in the lineup.

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