Pedro Oliveira
Exclusively for the American League, the designated hitter position does not have much popularity or appreciation in general, but in some major league clubs it is one of the most indispensable, finding a place for a great hitter and not interfering with the team’s defensive effectiveness on the field.
Here we present a list of the top 5 best designated hitters for the 2022 season
5.- Franmil Reyes – Cleveland Guardians
Hailing from Sabana Gran de Palenque in the Dominican Republic, Reyes turned in his best season since coming to the Guardians in 2019, hitting .254/.324/.522 with 30 homers, 85 RBIs, 57 runs scored and 18 doubles.
Reyes is shaping up to be one of the designated hitters with the most potential in the young circuit, entering 2022 at 26 years old and an increasingly important role in a Guardians’ offense that continues to get worse as a group despite having the basis for improvement.
4.- Giancarlo Stanton – New York Yankees
At 32 years old, Stanton was able to play more than half the season for the first time since 2018, performing more than positively for the Bronx Bombers franchise in 2021: .273/.354/.516 along with 35 homers, 19 doubles, 97 RBIs and 64 runs scored over 139 games played.
The Yankees are more than happy to get him back and have him physically available throughout the season, but it remains to be seen if one of the most sought-after designated hitters on the market can return to the numbers that justify his nine-digit contract or even if he can maintain his physical condition and last on the field.
Stanton’s career honors: MVP in 2017, four All-Star Game selections, two Silver Slugger, two Hank Aaron Awards, two-time home run leader and one-time RBI leader.
3..- Yordan Alvarez – Houston Astros
The 24-year-old completed his first full MLB campaign in masterful fashion, leading his franchise in home runs (33) and RBIs (104) along with a career-high .277/.346/.531 batting line with 35 doubles and 92 runs scored.
With the ”possible” absence of Carlos Correa having left Houston as a free agent, the Cuban will assume even more responsibility over one of the most powerful offenses in the majors, and will be able to continue to leave the designated hitter position on a high note if his level continues to rise as his career has shown.
Alvarez’s Palmares: Rookie of the Year in 2019.
2.- J.D. Martinez – Boston Red Sox
There have been few hitters as complete as the 34-year-old veteran in recent years, and since his arrival in Boston in 2018, his addition to the roster of designated hitters in the American League has extended his offensive consistency in a big way for the Red Sox.
After a difficult season in 2020, J.D. returned to his usual lumbering form last campaign: .286/.349/.518 with 28 homers, 99 RBIs, 92 runs scored and 42 doubles (leading MLB in this category).
Martinez would earn his fourth All-Star Game selection and would have a surprise campaign with Boston, reaching the American League Championship Series, where they were eliminated by the Houston Astros.
Martinez’s records: four All-Star Game selections, three Silver Sluggers, a Hank Aaron Award, leader in RBIs (2018) and doubles (2021) and the 2018 World Series.
1.- Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Angels
Every way we look at it, the Japanese is an anomaly in baseball by fulfilling two positions at the same time: as an opener and designated hitter for the Angels, one would expect him to be much better in one of those two facets, but the reality is that his performance at both positions is equally competitive, which is why he was the winner of the MVP award for the 2021 campaign.
His performance leaves him easily at the top of the list of best designated hitters, having posted a .257/.372/.592 line with 46 homers, 100 RBIs, 103 runs scored, 26 doubles, 8 triples and 26 stolen bases in 36 attempts, in addition to his excellent performance as a starter for the Anaheim franchise. The 27-year-old star will continue to be a key part and the Angels’ performance is expected to be elevated with the return of Mike Trout to the lineup, having missed most of the season with a calf injury.
