BABS looks at the National League DH

by Doug Gruber

MLB and the players union continue to negotiate numerous issues during the lockout. However, one item appears to be resolved. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred recently announced that the designated hitter rule will be employed in the National League for 2022.

With that, let’s take a look, team-by-team at BABS’ view on those highly skilled hitters who could benefit most from a Universal DH, and become attractive targets for your fantasy rosters.

NL East

Atlanta: Marcell Ozuna (p,a) seems to be the obvious choice for the Braves, with his suspension now completed and the DH position relieving his struggles in the outfield. BABS thinks his draft price is attractive, after pick 200. The issue will be whether Ozuna can return to 2020 form after his lost 2021 campaign. Atlanta also has unknowns with their unsigned free agents, notably Freddie Freeman, and the trio of Jorge Soler (PW), Eddie Rosario (p,a) and Joc Pederson (p), who were all instrumental in the Braves’ post-season success. But Ozuna should be the DH frontrunner to begin the spring.

Miami: BABS sees a number of candidates to pick from, with Jesus Aguilar (p,a) perhaps being best suited for the position, and a bargain at his current ADP. Others for consideration include Garrett Cooper (AV) if he could ever stay healthy for a full season, or a duo with EXperience risk, Jesus Sanchez (PW,a) and Lewin Diaz (PW|-A). All should see a bump in playing time with the DH in place.

New York Mets: The additions of Starling Marte and Eduardo Escobar, and the return of Robinson Cano (AV) from suspension make for a crowded Mets lineup. The extra DH spot helps, and BABS thinks Dominic Smith (p,a) could be the biggest beneficiary. Smith earned $24 in 2020, posting a slash line of 10/42/.316 mostly from the DH spot. JD Davis (p) or Cano could also be candidates.

Philadelphia has holes to fill. Alec Bohm (a), who impressed in 2020 but regressed in 2021, could be a DH option. But BABS prefers the skill sets of free agent signee Johan Camargo (p,a) and forgotten top prospect Scott Kingery (p,SB|-A). Either player can be had for less than a cheese steak in the end game.

Washington: Ryan Zimmerman seemed like an obvious choice but his retirement opens the DH spot for others. In-house options appear limited, meaning Washington could once again emerge as an aggressive buyer in the free agent market, with former Nat Kyle Schwarber (PW, a) being a natural to fit the bill. The current options include Riley Adams (p|-A), who showed a little pop in his 2021 cup of coffee, or Rule-5 snag Alex Young (P+). Both are possible flyers as they are currently ignored in most drafts.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs added veteran catcher Yan Gomes (p,a) to a roster that already included Willson Contreras (PW), leading to speculation that Contreras would be next in line to be traded. BABS offers this view…the DH could allow for both Gomes and Contreras to see full time at bats in the same lineup, making both more attractive at the catcher position. If that is not the Cubs plan, the other candidates are bigger gambles, such as Clint Frazier (p|-A) and Harold Ramirez (a), both let go by their prior organizations.

Cincinnati: Two logical candidates would be Mike Moustakas (p) or Aristides Aquino (P+,s|-A). BABS prefers Aquino, but he could still win a starting OF job, while the move of Moustakas to DH would solidify triple-asset Jonathon India and Eugenio Suarez at their preferred positions. It could also pave the way for rookie Jose Barrero (SB|-P) to take over the SS or CF role, offering both speed and much needed defense to the Reds lineup.

Milwaukee: Tyrone Taylor (p,SB,a) has had trouble advancing past a fourth outfielder role, but BABS is excited at the potential of his triple assets finding more playing time with the addition of a DH spot. Christian Yelich (p,s,a) and his ailing back could be moved to DH, or it could be used to spell the aging Lorenzo Cain (SB,a|-P). Either could mean more playing time for Taylor. Move him up your draft list. A speculative option is former touted prospect Keston Hiura (PW|-A) looking to regain his offensive prowess.

Pittsburgh: BABS does not see an obvious DH candidate in Pirateland. Best case is a move to DH by Yoshi Tsutsugo (p|-A) or Michael Chavis (|-A) which could further solidify a starting spot for more skillful players like top prospect Oneil Cruz (p,SB) or outfielders Anthony Alford (PW,SB|-A) and the speedy Greg Allen (S+).

St Louis: Fan favorite and fourth OFer Lars Nootbaar (|-PA) could be a candidate to DH, as well as top prospect Nolan Gordon (|-A). Nootbaar is coming off a solid Cards debut followed by an impressive Arizona Fall League campaign. Gordon showed some power as he progressed through AA and AAA. But BABS  is not a believer in their skill sets and thinks Paul DeJong (PW|-A) could be a better fit, especially if he can recreate his stroke from his 30-HR 2019 season. But do not rule out the Cards adding another big bat to their lineup from the available free agents, such as a Nelson Cruz (p,a) or Michael Conforto (p,a).

NL West

Arizona: BABS finds it hard to identify DH candidates from the D-back roster. One option might be a move of veteran David Peralta to DH to enable full time at bats for both Dalton Varsho (p,SB) and Carson Kelly (p), making both more attractive fantasy catcher options. Alternatively, the DH slot could catapult newcomers such as Seth Beer (p|-A) or speedster Jake McCarthy (S+|-A), although BABS is fearful their lack of batting skills could hinder their staying ability.

Colorado: A move of either Charlie Blackmon (AV) or CJ Cron (PW,a) to DH could enable more playing time for skillful outfielders Sam Hilliard (PW,s|-A) and Connor Joe (p,a). The assumed departure of Trevor Story could make room for rookie shortstop Alan Trejo (PW,a), but there could be at bats at DH there too. BABS likes the skill sets and the late round ADPs for these budding talents.

Los Angeles: The DH value to the Dodgers is that several hitters who have been very productive on an “at-bat” basis could now see a bump up in their total PAs. Max Muncy (P+,a) could remain in the lineup as a DH while he works his way through his elbow injury. Or the aging Justin Turner (PW,a), who is coming off his best season since 2017, could keep his bat in the lineup for more games. Multi-asset hitters like Chris Taylor (p,SB,a) and AJ Pollock (PW,AV) could also reach career highs in playing time. BABS thinks these are names to invest in.

San Diego: As it sits today, the Padres do not have an obvious DH candidate. Perhaps Ha-Seong Kim (s|-A) sees more action this year, or there is room for Austin Nola (a) and Jorge Alfaro (|-A) to both log at-bats at their crowded catcher position. But BABS is not a fan of any of those options, and instead is putting her money on the Padres being aggressive again in the free agent market to find their 2022 DH. Padre fans would be thrilled to have Nelson Cruz (p,a) or Nick Castellanos (P+,AV) hitting behind Tatis and Machado, and so would their fantasy owners.

San Francisco: BABS believes that no NL team will benefit more from the DH than the Giants. BABS identifies three candidates within some of the highest rated asset groups who could make this deep lineup even more formidable. Brandon Belt (P+,AV) hit 29 home runs in fewer than 100 games a year ago. In the shortened 2020 when there was a DH, Wilmer Flores (p,AV) earned $20 with a 12/32/.268 stat line while starting nearly every game. And the ageless Darren Ruf (PW,AV) mashed to a .904 OPS including 16 HRs in only 312 PAs. BABS recommends all three as targets at their current ADPs.

Free Agents

Many unsigned free agents were mentioned earlier, but let’s revisit. Here are several who could land with an NL team and see most of their playing time at DH: Nick Castellanos (P+, AV), Kyle Schwarber (PW,a), Nelson Cruz (p,a), Jorge Soler (PW), Michael Conforto (p,a), Anthony Rizzo (a), Andrew McCutcheon (PW), Eddie Rosario (p,a), Joc Pederson (p) and Alex Dickerson (p,a).