There are nonetheless a number of leagues on the market that require a delegated hitter (and never only a “regular” utility spot), so these rankings attempt to give some perception on how I rank these gamers who would possibly qualify at that place.
In contrast to the opposite ranks, I’ve used a 20-game minimal for eligibility because the leagues that also use the DH have higher-than-normal necessities, and likewise as a result of sufficient gamers discover their manner into 5 begins at DH to make it roughly a repeat of my regular ranks. Moreover, I’ve excluded catcher-eligible gamers as you’ll all the time wish to use these catchers as a catcher as a result of low substitute stage.
One phrase of recommendation for individuals who do discover themselves needing a participant who particularly qualifies at DH: it’s not as straightforward to switch as you would possibly suppose. The expertise pool at DH dries up pretty shortly, and gamers who’re promoted from the minors not often carry DH-eligibility with them. Whereas the gamers on this record can all be discovered within the prime 60 of my prime 300, issues begin to get shaky in a rush and earlier than it, you’re platoon gamers.
Attempt to draft a number of gamers who qualify at DH in these codecs to make sure you have protection, because it’s so much simpler to switch an outfielder or infielder than a DH (which sounds loopy, however as somebody who performs on this format, it’s true.
Tier 1
1. Shohei Ohtani (DH, LAD) — Enjoyable reality: Shohei Ohtani is the one participant to complete within the top-five fantasy hitters in each 2023 and 2024. Little must be stated right here. In each day leagues the place Ohtani is one participant, he’s in a tier of his personal. This rating is only for hitter Ohtani, technically, the place I can see some type of argument for one of many different two guys on this tier in the event you’re in some way apprehensive about further damage danger or one thing as a result of he’ll be throwing (I’m not apprehensive about this in any respect, for what it’s value). These in OBP leagues might need a barely harder choice, because the hole between Ohtani and Decide in that format was fairly slim in 2024, however I’d in all probability nonetheless go along with Ohtani.
The one considerably believable impression of pitching could be a potential lower in stolen bases, as you would possibly argue that they’ll be extra timid about giving the inexperienced mild to Ohtani in the event that they want him to be a starter. That stated, they appeared pleased to offer the inexperienced mild whereas he was recovering from an damage. Stealing over 50 bases once more is an extended shot, however 30 or extra must be greater than possible. He stole 20 or extra twice on an Angels workforce that was among the many most conservative in baseball, with 26 in 2021 earlier than the rule modifications, whereas additionally tossing 130.1 innings that season.
2. Aaron Decide (OF, NYY) — Decide is clearly a powerhouse, and I wouldn’t begrudge you if he was on the prime of your private rankings over Ohtani (even when I disagree). He had two tough slumps: one in April and one other within the first half of September, and each had been as a result of excessive groundball charges (and to a lesser extent, lots of strikeouts) that had been shortly corrected. Positive, they had been ugly, however anybody who doubts Decide’s capability to right course and be the perfect pure hitter in baseball for prolonged stretches is out of their thoughts.
Oh, and for what it’s value, the lack of Soto would possibly chop a handful of RBI off his totals, however after hitting 144 in 2024 he had loads to spare with out dropping any actual worth. The Yankees offense must be fairly good when all is claimed and achieved and Decide shall be on the coronary heart of it.
Tier 2
3. José Ramírez (3B, CLE) — To be trustworthy, I had utterly forgotten about J-Ram’s considerably sluggish begin, partially as a result of he shortly corrected it by hitting 11 dwelling runs in Could. Regardless of posting the bottom season-long stroll price we’ve seen from him since 2016, J-Ram tied a career-high in dwelling runs (39) whereas setting new profession highs in runs (114) and stolen bases (41) and the second-best mark in RBI (118).
Ramírez’s pull-heavy profile with loads of fly balls helps offset among the pretty pedestrian numbers we see from Statcast, however it’s attention-grabbing to see that his manufacturing got here with two massive spikes: a house run spike in Could (11) and a stolen base spike in August (14). These had been his greatest months for dwelling runs and stolen bases in his lengthy profession (respectively) and anticipating gamers to repeat bursts like that’s one thing I are likely to keep away from.
Even when J-Ram doesn’t get to 80 mixed dwelling runs and steals, he ought to proceed to be the most secure wager at third base on the board. Since his breakout in 2017, Ramírez has completed as a top-three third baseman yearly apart from one (a considerably injury-shortened 2019).
4. Yordan Alvarez (OF, HOU) — Make it 4 consecutive seasons with over 30 dwelling runs and 85 RBI. The counting stats had been a bit low for Yordan, although that’s largely as a result of baffling lack of offense to start out the 12 months in 2024 (this dude had 30 hits and simply 4 RBI in Could). If we knew he’d play 150 video games, I believe he’d be no less than three spots increased, if no more. He’s simply that good when he’s on the sphere.
Enjoyable reality: Yordan’s worst 50-game wRC+ of his profession is 114, which means at his absolute worst, he’s nonetheless 14% higher than the MLB common.
5. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B/3B, TOR) — I admit I assumed Vlad Jr. was on the decline after watching that rolling chart level down via 2022 and 2023 and into the beginning of 2024, however Vladito turned it on within the second half and confirmed us a spike in energy we hadn’t seen since his breakout in 2021. Guerrero all the time stored the bat-to-ball capability, however grounders had been crushing his upside till he discovered a approach to break their spell in the summertime. A Vlad who places the ball within the air (as in line drives plus fly balls) greater than 60% of the time is a particularly harmful hitter. Heck, probably even a top-five hitter. The ground is kind of excessive regardless, actually, however that second half confirmed us that the 40-home run energy in his 2021 marketing campaign might not have been a fluke in spite of everything.
Tier 3
6. Brent Rooker (OF, ATH) — I used to be not silent relating to my skepticism in direction of Rooker coming into 2024. Rooker’s 30 dwelling runs in 2023 was extraordinarily streaky. It was largely fueled by two extraordinarily scorching stretches in the beginning and the tip of the season, with lots of crimson flags over in the summertime plus a ton of strikeouts. The Rooker we noticed in 2024, although, was extremely constant, posting a wRC+ over 100 in every month of the season and a wRC+ over 140 in 4 of the six months.
Rooker’s strikeout price did spike a number of occasions earlier within the season, however from July 1 to the tip of the season, he struck out in simply 23.6% of his plate appearances, and from that time on, he by no means had a 20-game strikeout price above 30%. That’s fairly exceptional, as he spent nearly all of 2023 with a 20-game rolling strikeout price above 30%, with many stretches over 40%.
Whereas stronger decision-making definitely performed a task within the enchancment, our PLV metrics recommend the most important change was to his contact capability, going from a participant within the backside 10% of the league in 2023 to a participant with nearly common contact capability. If Rooker continues to make contact at a largely common clip, he ought to proceed to be a really particular hitter for the A’s.
Additionally, for individuals who haven’t heard, the transfer to Sacramento barely improves the offensive surroundings. Sacramento is a reasonably pitcher-friendly park, although I consider the foul territory must be a lot friendlier (a notable factor for a pull hitter like Rooker).
7. Ketel Marte (2B, ARI) — Marte had the perfect season of his profession in 2024 and set profession highs in dwelling runs, RBI, wRC+, common exit velocity, barrel price, hard-hit price, and a bunch of different stuff. He did this regardless of lacking 26 video games (largely as a result of a sprained ankle in late August) and appeared like a totally totally different hitter than the man we noticed in 2023 (who had appeared utterly totally different than the man we noticed in 2020-22).
The ability surge seems to be tied to Marte pulling the ball a LOT greater than in prior seasons (51.8% in 2024, by no means increased than 44.4% in another season), which helped convert doubles and triples into dwelling runs. It may be troublesome to carry that type of grow to be future seasons as a result of fickle nature of batted ball course on the whole, although it’s not essentially random (see: Isaac Paredes). Whereas I do suppose he can hold pulling the ball a bit extra on the whole, I’m skeptical about pulling the ball fairly this usually as lots of that got here very all of the sudden and over a comparatively brief time period (see chart under).
Even when the facility regresses a bit (which I do anticipate to a point), Marte’s bat-to-ball expertise ought to hold him within the prime 30-40 hitters due to robust ratios, loads of counting stats, and no less than 25-27 dwelling runs. He’s notably precious in factors leagues due to his sub-20% strikeout price, double-digit stroll price, and hitting second behind Corbin Carroll daily.
8. Marcell Ozuna (DH, ATL) — Ozuna did a full repeat of his stunning 2023 season in 2024 and there’s little motive to doubt he can do one thing comparable in 2025. Technically, Ozuna’s energy light a bit down the stretch in comparison with his early season fireworks show, however because the chart under exhibits, the “fade” merely introduced him right down to the eightieth percentile. If that’s what a hunch seems to be like, then signal me up.
9. Manny Machado (3B, SDP) — Don’t panic when Machado has an prolonged hunch, as he’s had one in every of the final 5 full seasons. They give the impression of being ugly and get pundits in every single place asking, “What’s improper with Machado?” The reply, typically, is “nothing he can’t repair.” In each 2023 and 2024, Machado appeared extremely pedestrian for a full two months to start out the season earlier than turning it on and attending to his numbers (roughly 30 dwelling runs and 90-100 RBI). Don’t mistake year-to-year consistency with month-to-month consistency. Machado is totally the previous however not a lot the latter. The takeaway, if nothing else, is that Machado is prone to hold being a rock on the scorching nook for fantasy groups, even when, at occasions, it seems to be like he gained’t be. Simply hold the religion and also you’ll be rewarded.
10. Kyle Schwarber (OF, PHI) — Schwarber remains to be Schwarber. 2024 was one other season of strong decision-making, wonderful energy, and poor contact. He’ll strike out almost 30% of the time as a result of his contact points, however he’ll additionally stroll about 15% of the time and hit round 40 dwelling runs with roughly 100 runs and 100 RBI.
Schwarber must be thought of a prime 15-20 hitter in OBP codecs, however in commonplace leagues, he has two issues holding him again: his low batting common and excessive streakiness. Each outcome from his contact capability mixed along with his all-or-nothing method, which focuses on pulling the ball and getting it within the air (each of that are good issues, to be clear). The extremes in his profile result in a rolling chart that appears like an EKG.
For roto gamers, this variance is okay as a result of so long as you keep it up, the highs will stability out the lows. In head-to-head codecs, it will get a bit of trickier as Schwarber will oscillate between a man who’s dragging your entire workforce for 3 matchups after which goes and goes and wins your subsequent matchup nearly solely by himself. Some gamers don’t need this sort of headache in a weekly league, however for individuals who can deal with the ups and downs, you’ll get an elite energy supply.
Tier 4
11. Anthony Santander (OF, TOR) — If you’re as robust as Santander, extra fly balls will typically be a great factor. Santander stored his fly ball price above 50% for almost all of the season, and that led the best way to his 44 dwelling runs. I don’t anticipate Santander to get fairly that many dwelling runs once more in 2025, however 35 appears fairly affordable to go along with what is going to seemingly be a boatload of counting stats wherever he finally ends up. As a result of Santander places lots of balls in play, hits from each side, and performs in lots of video games, his ground is increased than another power-hitting outfielders with comparable profiles.
Santander finally signed with the Toronto Blue Jays and appears like he’ll bat proper after Vlad Jr., which is a strong state of affairs to be in for the slugger. The lineup he’s coming into isn’t as deep or thrilling because the one he left, however Santander must be ready to get into the triple digits in RBI for a second consecutive 12 months.
This rating of Santander is significantly increased than the place he’s being drafted thus far, which can be as a result of Baseball Savant’s less-than-stellar anticipated stats. Our Pitcher Listing anticipated stats are far more favorable in direction of Santander, notably within the energy division, and I believe Santander is a unbelievable worth anyplace close to his present ADP simply earlier than decide 100 (ADP from NFBC drafts as of January 22).
12. Wyatt Langford (OF, TEX) — On the finish of Could, Langford was slashing .222/.288/.286 with a single dwelling run and a single stolen base. He confirmed life because the summer season wore on, and due to a surge in late June via early July, Wyatt Langford was fantasy’s 149th-best hitter by the All-Star Break, a formidable feat after such a gradual begin.
Langford got here into the season with huge expectations as a result of his pedigree, and whereas it took time to see the promise in his bat, Langford definitely showcased what he may do, notably in September when he hit eight dwelling runs, stole seven bases, and hit a cool .300/.386/.610 in 114 plate appearances. We’re nonetheless prone to see lots of variance in Langford’s efficiency, contemplating he’s going into simply his second full season and is barely 23 years outdated, however it is a participant with the potential to place collectively 30 dwelling runs and 30 steals if he can carry even a bit of little bit of his September power into 2025.
Tier 5
13. Bryan Reynolds (OF, PIT) — Reynolds, for some motive, stays a Pirate, and as such, he ought to proceed to hit roughly 25 dwelling runs and get someplace between 80-90 RBI with a .270ish batting common.
Solely two issues would possibly alter his worth: a brand new workforce or a brand new place. The previous has been rumored for years however has but to materialize. The latter has been hinted at this offseason, because the Pirates have actually nobody on the present roster to cowl first base, and likewise, Reynolds is likely one of the league’s worst defensive outfielders. I don’t suppose we are able to depend on this positional eligibility in 2025, but when the Pirates nonetheless don’t have a primary baseman by spring, this might begin to get some legs.
14. Riley Greene (OF, DET) — Riley Greene has struggled to remain wholesome within the majors, however I consider his 2024 signifies the kind of energy and phone we are able to anticipate within the massive leagues. He completed simply contained in the top-60 hitters in 2024 regardless of the missed time, and Greene has achieved properly to make changes thus far in his profession. Greene confirmed extra of a propensity to steal in his first two seasons, however between retaining him wholesome and his comparatively common velocity, I wouldn’t depend on greater than 10. That every one being stated, there’s positively a top-50 bat in right here, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he was inside the highest 40 briefly order with a scorching begin.
15. Seiya Suzuki (OF, CHC) — If Suzuki stays wholesome and in Chicago, we may very properly see him surpass his top-40 hitter end from 2024. Suzuki is a constant contributor when wholesome, hitting .284/.361/.484 during the last two seasons whereas lastly breaking into the double-digits in stolen bases in 2024 to go along with 21 dwelling runs.
Suzuki has but to have a season the place he will get to 600 plate appearances (although he’s been pretty shut in every of the final two), however the constant outcomes from his occasions on the sphere depart me fairly sure that there may very well be extra to his recreation hitting third behind newly-acquired Kyle Tucker in Chicago. In fact, Suzuki has been a preferred title in commerce talks, leaving some uncertainty so as to add to his mild-ish damage danger.
These in OBP leagues can bump Suzuki up a bit of, however he’d nonetheless seemingly be on this tier for me.
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Pictures by Icon Sportswire | Tailored by Doug Carlin
