NL CENTRAL HITTERS WHO BENEFIT FROM THE UNIVERSAL DH
Ian Happ (NFBC ADP since 4/15: 256; Yahoo % Owned: 43%): Happ dropped his K% from 36% in 2018 to 25% last year. He always nears the top of the majors in barrels, and he steals around 10 bags per year. With the DH, the Cubs can let Albert Almora keep some of his defensive duties while getting Kyle Schwarber, Jason Heyward, and Happ at bats.
Victor Caratini (ADP: 590; Owned: 1%): The switch-hitting Caratini is a very solid hitter who was one of the biggest catching prospects a few years back. Most teams will carry three or more catchers, allowing a team like the Cubs to give both Caratini and Willson Contreras a few more at bats.
Worth a Mention: Steven Souza Jr. was originally seen as a right handed platoon for Heyward and/or Schwarber but could now see more at bats. In the not so distant past (2017), he hit 30 HR and stole 16 bases.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds will likely benefit more than most teams from a DH as they have a logjam in the outfield. The universal DH gives Nick Castellanos, an atrocious fielder, an added boost, but he was already being drafted with the expectation that he would play every day (ADP: 96). I do not expect Jesse Winker’s (ADP: 489) role to change much as he will start against most righties and sit against most lefties, Joc Pederson style. Winker is a great value if your league has a deep bench. The Reds also brought in Japanese star Shogo Akiyama (ADP: 275) who could help you in average, runs, and chip in a few steals while manning centerfield.
Nick Senzel (ADP: 219; Owned: 61%): Expectations for Senzel were sky high before the 2019 season, and while he underwhelmed, he did finish with 14 steals. Some fans have clamored for Senzel to take over at shortstop currently manned by Freddy Galvis, but it appears the Reds management sees him as an outfielder for the time being. I expect Senzel, who should be healthy for the delayed season start after his September shoulder injury, to rotate between the two corner outfield spots and the DH spot with Castellanos and Winker.
Worth a Mention: Aristides Aquino dominated in August (185 wRC+) before being “figured out” in September/October (52 wRC+; 30.9% K%). He also went 2-for-26 with 11 K this spring training before stoppage. That said, the man nicknamed The Punisher has elite size and power.
Milwaukee Brewers
Ryan Braun (ADP: 251; Owned: 40%): With no DH, it seemed like Braun would split time between a corner outfield spot and 1B. Braun has stolen at least 11 bases every year of his career except for suspension-shorted 2013. Along with the steals, he had a 0.285 AVG, 22 HR, and an 0.849 OPS last year. Maybe he can stay even fresher by not fielding most days.
Avisail Garcia (ADP: 218; Owned: 46%): Garcia hit 0.285 with 20 HR and 10 steals last year. He goes to a better offensive home ballpark, moving from Tampa Bay to Milwaukee, and no longer has to split time with Braun thanks to the DH.
Worth a Mention: Justin Smoak (ADP: 475) is always good for 20 HR (in a full season) and should man 1B most days for the solid but shallow Brewers.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Worth a Mention: The Pirates should be in full rebuild mode. With no real minor league season this year, keep an eye on prospect CF Jared Oliva who had 36 steals and a 123 wRC+ last year at AA.
St. Louis Cardinals
Dylan Carlson (ADP: 289; Owned: 21%): In 2019, Carlson had the best OPS (0.882) of any regular at AA before moving up to AAA and having a 1.098 OPS in the offensive Elysium that is the PCL. He hit 26 HR and stole 20 bases across the two stops. The Cardinals will likely let him start from day one, and he offers five-category upside around pick 300.
Tommy Edman (ADP: 134; Owned: 86%): Wow, Edman is already going at 134 overall. While Kolten Wong has great defense at 2B and Matt Carpenter still expected to man the hot corner at least to start the year, most expected Edman to play a lot of corner outfield and fill in at 2B and 3B. But a DH means Edman can play a lot more 3B while Carpenter is at DH. He has a solid hit tool and has 25 steal upside in a full season. Still, he seems pricey.
