It’s about time that pitchers put down the bat for good! Now that the designated hitter will be used in the National League, teams will have a lot of flexibility in how they utilize it. This will be part one of a three-part series. We will be using Depth Charts, as well as some of my own thoughts and speculation, to project each team’s DH. Let’s take a look at every team in the NL East, who their prime DH candidate is, and how each team may take advantage of the new position.
New York Mets
Best Option: Dominic Smith
Smith is projected to find the most plate appearances at DH. Before the announcement of the DH, Depth Charts had him projected for 105 plate appearances through interleague games. The updated projection gives him 273 plate appearances. That projection leads Mets hitters who aren’t projected to have a starting position on the field. In 2019, Smith delivered with a slash line of .282/.355/.525 in 197 plate appearances. His 9.6% walk rate and 11 home runs helped deliver a 133 wRC+. Albeit a small sample size, Smith had near identical production splits, with a 133 wRC+ versus RHP and 132 wRC+ versus LHP. Coming off of his best season yet, Smith should be a lock at DH for the Mets.
Other Options
Although Smith might be a clear first choice, the DH still gives Mets other lineup options. Yoenis Cespedes is another candidate to fill in at DH, especially versus LHP. However, that always comes with questions regarding his health. If Cespedes is healthy in the shortened season, you can expect the Mets to make use of him. Robinson Cano and J.D. Davis may also see some time at DH, allowing the Mets to play Jake Marisnick, their strongest defender, in the field.
Projected Lineups
| VS. RHP | ||||
| Order | Pos | # | Player | Bats |
| 1 | CF | 9 | Brandon Nimmo | L |
| 2 | 3B | 6 | Jeff McNeil | L |
| 3 | 1B | 20 | Pete Alonso | R |
| 4 | 2B | 24 | Robinson Canó | L |
| 5 | LF | 28 | J.D. Davis | R |
| 6 | DH | 2 | Dominic Smith | L |
| 7 | RF | 30 | Michael Conforto | L |
| 8 | C | 40 | Wilson Ramos | R |
| 9 | SS | 1 | Amed Rosario | R |
| VS. LHP | ||||
| Order | Pos | # | Player | Bats |
| 1 | CF | 9 | Brandon Nimmo | L |
| 2 | 3B | 6 | Jeff McNeil | L |
| 3 | 1B | 20 | Pete Alonso | R |
| 4 | 2B | 24 | Robinson Canó | L |
| 5 | LF | 28 | J.D. Davis | R |
| 6 | DH | 2 | Yoenis Cespedes | R |
| 7 | RF | 30 | Michael Conforto | L |
| 8 | C | 40 | Wilson Ramos | R |
| 9 | SS | 1 | Amed Rosario | R |
Atlanta Braves
Best Option: Austin Riley
Riley got off to a hot start in May, but quickly cooled off the rest of the season. He finished his first MLB season hitting a modest .226/.279/.471 with 18 homers. Although his 88 wRC+ may not be eye-popping, Riley has 70-grade raw power that was on display throughout his first season. He doesn’t walk much (5.4%) and strikes out at an alarming rate (36.4%), but his power makes him attractive in an overall solid lineup. Riley was an average defender in left field, but the off-season acquisition of Marcell Ozuna makes the Braves’ outfield a bit more crowded. Luckily, the DH gives Atlanta a place to put his bat in the lineup.
Other Options
Outside of Riley, another DH option is Adam Duvall. Duvall performed quite well last season, posting a 121 wRC+, but it’s likely that he will only get at bats if outfielder Ender Inciarte shows the same offensive struggles that he showed in 2019. This would push Ronald Acuña Jr. to center field, Riley to a corner outfield spot, and give the DH role to Duvall. The 31-year-old may also see some time versus LHP, who he has hit better against in his career. Riley and Duvall are the two main DH options for Atlanta. If Marcell Ozuna continues to be a poor defender, he could also see some time in the DH spot.
Projected Lineups
| VS. RHP | ||||
| Order | Pos | # | Player | Bats |
| 1 | RF | 13 | Ronald Acuña Jr. | R |
| 2 | 2B | 1 | Ozzie Albies | S |
| 3 | 1B | 5 | Freddie Freeman | L |
| 4 | LF | 20 | Marcell Ozuna | R |
| 5 | DH | 27 | Austin Riley | R |
| 6 | C | 16 | Travis d’Arnaud | R |
| 7 | CF | 11 | Ender Inciarte | L |
| 8 | SS | 7 | Dansby Swanson | R |
| 9 | 3B | 17 | Johan Camargo | S |
| VS. LHP | ||||
| Order | Pos | # | Player | Bats |
| 1 | CF | 13 | Ronald Acuña Jr. | R |
| 2 | 2B | 1 | Ozzie Albies | S |
| 3 | 1B | 5 | Freddie Freeman | L |
| 4 | LF | 20 | Marcell Ozuna | R |
| 5 | RF | 27 | Austin Riley | R |
| 6 | C | 16 | Travis d’Arnaud | R |
| 7 | DH | 23 | Adam Duvall | R |
| 8 | SS | 7 | Dansby Swanson | R |
| 9 | 3B | 17 | Johan Camargo | S |
Philadelphia Phillies
Best Option: Jay Bruce
The DH couldn’t come at a better time for the Phillies and veteran Jay Bruce. At this point in his career, the 33-year-old is primaryily a DH. He was roughly a league average hitter last season, hitting 26 home runs with just a measly .216 batting average. His 98 wRC+ wasn’t spectacular, but he’s always a candidate for 30 home runs if he can accumulate enough trips to the plate. The new position should give him plenty of plate appearances, as well as give the Phillies lineup some extra thump.
Other Options
The Phillies could also give Neil Walker a shot at the DH role, but he hasn’t hit lefties as well as he can right-handers. In 2020 Walker is projected a .243/.327/.397 slash line with just three home runs. With that weak of a slash line, Logan Forsythe then becomes an option. He was slashing .348/.464/.826 in Spring Training and had a good shot at making the roster out of camp. There aren’t many other options for the Phillies, but if they really wanted to, they could push top prospect Alec Bohm to the majors, where he would probably see most of his time at DH.
Projected Lineups
| VS. RHP | ||||
| Order | Pos | # | Player | Bats |
| 1 | LF | 22 | Andrew McCutchen | R |
| 2 | 3B | 2 | Jean Segura | R |
| 3 | RF | 3 | Bryce Harper | L |
| 4 | 1B | 17 | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 5 | C | 10 | J.T. Realmuto | R |
| 6 | DH | 9 | Jay Bruce | L |
| 7 | SS | 18 | Didi Gregorius | L |
| 8 | 2B | 4 | Scott Kingery | R |
| 9 | CF | 40 | Adam Haseley | L |
| VS. LHP | ||||
| Order | Pos | # | Player | Bats |
| 1 | LF | 22 | Andrew McCutchen | R |
| 2 | 3B | 2 | Jean Segura | R |
| 3 | RF | 3 | Bryce Harper | L |
| 4 | 1B | 17 | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 5 | C | 10 | J.T. Realmuto | R |
| 6 | DH | 9 | Logan Forsythe | R |
| 7 | 2B | 4 | Scott Kingery | R |
| 8 | SS | 18 | Didi Gregorius | L |
| 9 | CF | 24 | Roman Quinn | S |
Washington Nationals
Best Option: Howie Kendrick
The postseason hero that helped lead the Nationals to their first ever World Series title, Kendrick is the clear front-runner to take up most of the time at DH. In 2019, Kendrick hit an absurd .344 with a 146 wRC+. He hit 17 home runs and struck out just 13.2% of the time. The Nationals will want him in the lineup as often as possible, so look for Kendrick to rack up plenty of plate appearances as the DH.
Other Options
Eric Thames will probably see a lot of time as the Nationals first basemen, but could see time as the DH if he needs a rest day. Ryan Zimmerman is also a candidate to platoon some time at DH if there is a need for another right-handed hitter.
Projected Lineups
| VS. RHP | ||||
| Order | Pos | # | Player | Bats |
| 1 | SS | 7 | Trea Turner | R |
| 2 | RF | 2 | Adam Eaton | L |
| 3 | DH | 47 | Howie Kendrick | R |
| 4 | LF | 22 | Juan Soto | L |
| 5 | 1B | 9 | Eric Thames | L |
| 6 | 3B | 13 | Asdrubal Cabrera | S |
| 7 | 2B | 14 | Starlin Castro | R |
| 8 | C | 10 | Yan Gomes | R |
| 9 | CF | 16 | Victor Robles | R |
| VS. LHP | ||||
| Order | Pos | # | Player | Bats |
| 1 | SS | 7 | Trea Turner | R |
| 2 | RF | 2 | Adam Eaton | L |
| 3 | DH | 47 | Howie Kendrick | R |
| 4 | LF | 22 | Juan Soto | L |
| 5 | 1B | 11 | Ryan Zimmerman | R |
| 6 | 2B | 14 | Starlin Castro | R |
| 7 | C | 10 | Yan Gomes | R |
| 8 | 3B | 8 | Carter Kieboom | R |
| 9 | CF | 16 | Victor Robles | R |
Miami Marlins
Best Option: Garrett Cooper
Cooper is likely Miami’s go-to hitter for DH. I’ll outline his ability at the plate, but if you want a deeper look into Cooper, I highly encourage you to check out a recent article by Pitcher List’s own Matt Wallach. In 2019, Cooper hit .281/.344/.446 in 421 plate appearances. On top of that, he hit 15 home runs and 16 doubles. Cooper’s offensive game doesn’t jump off the page, but last year he did pretty well in every aspect. His 111 wRC+ and lack of a position should give him plenty of time as the Marlins’ DH.
Other Options
The Marlins have a few other options to try at DH if Cooper does not fare well. Veterans Matt Joyce and Matt Kemp are both options for low-cost offense. Both are 35-years-old, but coming off of recent years of success. Last season with Atlanta, Joyce produced a 128 wRC+ with a 16.0% walk rate, primarily against right-handed pitchers. He has struggled in his career versus left-handed pitchers, but has always been an above average hitter against righties, making him a viable platoon candidate. Kemp got cut from the Reds last season after a few injuries to start the season, but in 2018 he had a 122 wRC+ and 21 home runs with the Dodgers. If a healthy Kemp can find that swing again, he could be a huge upgrade to the Marlins’ lineup at DH. The last possible DH is Harold Ramirez. Ramirez doesn’t offer much outside of batting average, but if he can boast a big average, he might see some time at the position.
Projected Lineups
| VS. RHP | ||||
| Order | Pos | # | Player | Bats |
| 1 | CF | 2 | Jonathan Villar | S |
| 2 | 3B | 15 | Brian Anderson | R |
| 3 | LF | 23 | Corey Dickerson | L |
| 4 | DH | 26 | Garrett Cooper | R |
| 5 | 1B | 24 | Jesus Aguilar | R |
| 6 | 2B | 1 | Isan DÃaz | L |
| 7 | C | 38 | Jorge Alfaro | R |
| 8 | RF | 25 | Lewis Brinson | R |
| 9 | SS | 19 | Miguel Rojas | R |
| VS. LHP | ||||
| Order | Pos | # | Player | Bats |
| 1 | CF | 2 | Jonathan Villar | S |
| 2 | 3B | 15 | Brian Anderson | R |
| 3 | LF | 23 | Corey Dickerson | L |
| 4 | DH | 26 | Garrett Cooper | R |
| 5 | 1B | 24 | Jesus Aguilar | R |
| 6 | 2B | 5 | Jon Berti | R |
| 7 | C | 38 | Jorge Alfaro | R |
| 8 | RF | 25 | Lewis Brinson | R |
| 9 | SS | 19 | Miguel Rojas | R |
Winners and Losers
I came across an interesting gain/loss concept from Fangraph’s Craig Edwards that attempted to project how much WAR the National League teams would either gain or lose from the implementation of a DH. Since the NL roster is designed to account for a DH, some teams may not have a hitter well-fit for the spot. If you want to see the projections, then you should check out his work. Here we will be using his WAR projections per 600 PA, but only rank the teams in the East by the lone projection of their projected DH.
| Team | Projected DH | Projected WAR |
| Nationals | Howie Kendrick | 1.4 |
| Phillies | Jay Bruce | 0.7 |
| Braves | Austin Riley | 0.6 |
| Marlins | Garrett Cooper | 0.3 |
| Mets | Dominic Smith | 0.0 |
It is important to remember that these are just based on depth chart projections and can be wrong. For example, if Smith repeats his success from last season, he will be worth more than zero wins. It’s also worth noting that the DH is always less valuable, in terms of WAR, than a position that can benefit the team defensively. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for the NLE team projected to gain the most from the universal DH, it’s the Washington Nationals.
Duvall: (Photo by /Icon Sportswire) Bruce: (Photo by /Icon Sportswire) Smith: (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire) | Feature Graphic Designed by James Peterson (Follow @jhp_design714 on Instagram & Twitter)