30 Days of MLB Rankings: Ranking Every DH in MLB

Check out my previous rankings from this series:

Catchers 30-21 | Catchers 20-11  | Catchers 10-1  | First Base 30-21 | First Basemen 20-11 | First Basemen 10-1 | Second Basemen 30-21 | Second Basemen 20-11 | Second Basemen 10-1 | Third Basemen 30-21 | Third Basemen 20-11 | Third Basemen 10-1 | Shortstop 30-21 | Shortstops 20-11 | Shortstop 10-1  | Left Field 30-21 | Left Field 20-11 | Left Field 10-1  | Center Field 30-21 | Center Field 20-11  | Center Field 10-1  | Right Field 30-21 | Right Field 20-11  | Right Field 10-1

Disclaimer: if there is an MLB season in 2020, the NL will also be adopting a designated hitter. However, we will only be looking at the designated hitters in the AL for the sake of this list.  

15. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

2019: 136 games, .282/.346/.398 splits, .744 OPS, 12 Home Runs, 59 RBIs

Unfortunate, but at this point in his career, Miguel Cabrera doesn’t provide much for the Tigers. Injuries have taken a toll on his body the last two seasons, which is why he’ll likely DH in 2020. At the plate, he no longer hits for a lot of power and doesn’t draw enough walks, which is why he earns the bottom spot on this list.  

14. Khris Davis, Oakland Athletics

2019: 133 games, .220/.293/.387 splits, .679 OPS, 23 Home Runs, 73 RBIs

After hitting at least 42 home runs every year from 2016-2018, Khris Davis was one of the most disappointing MLB players in 2019. His numbers dropped across the board, with his OPS at an abysmal mark of .679. At age 32, Davis is hoping to turn things around for the Athletics this season.  

13. Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, Tampa Bay Rays

2019 (Japan): 131 games, .272/.388/.511 splits, .899 OPS, 29 Home Runs, 79 RBIs

After spending the last ten seasons in Japan, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo decided to come to America, signing a two-year deal with Tampa Bay. Tsutsugo does a great job at getting on base, while also hitting for power. It will be interesting to see how he performs at the MLB level in 2020. 

12. Teoscar Hernandez, Toronto Blue Jays

2019: 125 games, .230/.306/.472 splits, .778 OPS, 26 Home Runs, 65 RBIs

Heading into 2020, Teoscar Hernandez and Rowdy Tellez may platoon at DH. Hernandez has a lot of pop in his bat but doesn’t hit for a high average. He struck out 153 times last season, an alarming mark considering he only had 464 plate appearances.  

11. Renato Nunez, Baltimore Orioles

2019: 151 games, .244/.311/.460 splits, .771 OPS, 31 Home Runs, 90 RBIs

Out of every ranking that I’ve written so far, Renato Nunez was the closest of any Orioles’ player to crack the top ten. Nunez got the opportunity to play in 2019, and took advantage, putting up career highs across the board. He has a lot of power, but needs to do a better job at drawing walks, and limiting his strikeouts.   

10. Daniel Vogelbach, Seattle Mariners

2019: 144 games, .208/.341/.439/ splits, .780, 30 Home Runs, 76 RBIs

After getting the chance to play, Daniel Vogelbach had a great year in 2019, earning his first all-star appearance. Vogelbach is like a modern-day Babe Ruth due to his large upper half, and short stride when he runs. He does a great job at drawing walks but needs to improve at hitting for average.  

9. Shin-Soo Choo, Texas Rangers

2019: 151 games, .265/.371/.455 splits, .826 OPS, 24 Home Runs, 61 RBIs

At age 36, Shin-Soo Choo showed no signs of slowing down as he earned his first all-star nod. Choo used to be a solid defender, but as he’s gotten older, the Rangers have used him as a designated hitter more. His 24 home runs in 2019 were a career-high, and at age 37, Choo still has a few years left in the tank.  

8. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels

2019: 106 games, .286/.343/.505 splits, .848 OPS, 18 Home Runs, 62 RBIs

Keep in mind; this ranking is based purely on how Ohtani performs as a hitter and not a pitcher. Unlike everyone else on this list, Ohtani is not just a power hitter, as he does a great job at getting on base. Additionally, he stole 12 bases in 2019. Ohtani is not a traditional designated hitter, but the Angels smartly want to preserve his arm by not letting him play in the field.  

7. Franmil Reyes, Cleveland Indians

2019: 150 games, .249/.310/.512 splits, .822 OPS, 37 Home Runs, 81 RBIs

After a great start to 2019 with the Padres, Franmil Reyes was traded to the Indians in exchange for Francisco Mejia. Reyes has a ton of power as he hit 37 home runs. However, he has one huge weakness in his game: strikeouts. If he can cut down on his swing-and-miss rate, it will go a long way for him.  

6. Edwin Encarnacion, Chicago White Sox

2019: 109 games, .244/.344/.531 splits, .875 OPS, 34 Home Runs, 86 RBIs

After a solid year with the Mariners and Yankees in 2019, Edwin Encarnacion signed a one-year deal with the Chicago White Sox. With Jose Abreu already at first, Encarnacion will likely be a full-time DH in 2020. He has a lot of power, but as he’s gotten older, his average has dropped. 

5. Jorge Soler, Kansas City Royals

2019: 162 games, .265/.354/.569 splits, .922 OPS, 48 Home Runs, 117 RBIs

Having never hit more than 12 home runs in any season heading into 2019, Jorge Soler destroyed that mark by leading the AL with 48. Soler struggled with Chicago from 2014-2016 but fits in better with the Royals, where he doesn’t have to play in the field. While he hits bombs, he also has a major strikeout problem as he led the AL with 178 (!) strikeouts last season.  

4. Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees

2019: 18 games, .288/.403/.492 splits, .894 OPS, 3 Home Runs, 13 RBIs

2019 was an absolute disaster for the former NL MVP, as Stanton nearly missed the entire year due to arm and knee injuries. However, returning in 2020, he’ll likely become a full-time DH, which should reduce his risk of getting injured. When healthy, Stanton is an elite hitter, but he needs to stay on the field.  

3. Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros

2019: 87 games, .313/.412/.655 splits, 1.067 OPS, 27 Home Runs, 78 RBIs

All three of these top guys are elite hitters who could have earned the top spot. While Alvarez was incredible during his rookie season, the fact that he hasn’t played a full regular season keeps him out of the top two. He made MLB pitching look easy, with an OPS well above 1.000. Amazingly, Alvarez is only 23 years old, and he should only continue to improve.  

2. Nelson Cruz, Minnesota Twins 

2019: 120 games, .311/.392/.639 splits, 1.031 OPS, 41 Home Runs, 108 RBIs

Nelson Cruz has only done better as he’s gotten older, and that was no exception in 2019. Cruz hit over 37 home runs for the sixth consecutive season by crushing 41 bombs last year. Despite not making a ton of headlines, Cruz has been one of the best power hitters in MLB over the decade, with 401 career home runs.  

1. J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox

2019: 146 games, .304/.383/.557 splits, .939 OPS, 36 Home Runs, 105 RBIs

While he wasn’t an MVP candidate in 2019 like he was in 2018, J.D. Martinez is still deserving of the top spot on this list. Martinez is just an all-around elite hitter. He does a great job at getting on base, while also hitting for power. He’s hit at least 36 home runs in four consecutive seasons. Heading into his age 32 season, Martinez will be the X-Factor for the Red Sox in 2020 after Mookie Betts got traded. 

Come back tomorrow for the first part of my reliever ranking!

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