It's a whole new ballgame for the best designated hitters in 2024. The universal DH rule has been such a success that most teams have a full-time DH or two players who help fill that role.
Of course, this has also increased competition to be considered among the top hitters in 2024.
Ranking of the top 10 designated hitters ahead of the 2024 MLB season
Despite having a wide range of candidates, we wanted to narrow our list down to the top 10 designated hitters for 2024. It wasn't easy to narrow down our list because some of these guys have a chance to be among the greatest designated hitters in MLB history. day.
Although you may not agree, here is our list of players who we think will be the best hitters in 2024.
10. Brent Rucker
The A's don't have a lot of bright spots on their roster, but Brent Rucker is one of them. He enjoyed a breakout season in 2023 with 51 extra-base hits, including 30 home runs.
His challenge in 2024 is to replicate that now that pitchers know how to get around him and make someone else in Oakland's lineup beat them. However, his numbers last season put Rucker in the league among the best hitters in baseball.
9. Mitch Garver
With Cal Raleigh behind the plate, the Mariners will be able to utilize Mitch Garver primarily as a DH this year. That's not a bad role for the 33-year-old, who would rather be a hitter than a catcher. Injuries last season limited Garver to fewer than 300 players. However, he still hit 19 homers, producing an OPS of .870 for the Rangers before adding three homers and 14 RBI in 14 playoff games.
He's sure to be a consistent contributor to Seattle's lineup in a DH role this season, allowing him to stay healthy.
8. Justin Turner
At 39, Justin Turner is turning into an ageless wonder. He managed to give the Red Sox 23 homers and 31 doubles last season while batting .276. Turner is now headed to Toronto and will be the DH for the Blue Jays in 2024.
Obviously we expect him to slow down at some point. But until we start to see that, Turner deserves to be mentioned among the best hitters.
7. Jorge Soler
It's a mystery why it took the team until mid-February to sign Jorge Soler. It's practically the textbook definition of a full-time DH. To be fair, it can be hot and cold at times.
But Soler hit 36 homers last year and also has a 48-homer season on his resume. He's exactly the type of power hitter you want as a DH and should be primed for another big season in 2024.
6. Marcel Ozuna
At his age, Marcell Ozuna's days as a star or even an outfielder are over. But the same cannot be said about his days as a dedicated baseball player. He gave the Braves 40 homers and an OPS over .900 last season.
Of course, his seasons in 2021 and 2022 were disastrous, so there are reasons to be skeptical. However, Ozuna is still able to at least come close to matching last year's productivity.
5. Kyle Schwarber
It appears the Phillies have finally wised up and will make Kyle Schwarber their full-time DH this season. He didn't really belong on the field anyway. The caveat with Schwarber is that he's a one-trick pony.
After hitting .197 last season, he brings nothing to the table but power. But he brings a lot of power, hitting 46 homers in 2022 and 47 last year. Don't be surprised if Schwarber makes another push for 50 home runs in 2024, adding significant value to the Philly lineup.
4. Masataka Yoshida
The Red Sox hope they have enough depth in the outfield to make Masataka Yoshida their full-time DH. The two-time Pacific League champion proved last year that he can handle the big league. Strength-wise, Boston would certainly want more than 15 players out of him, which is all Yoshida produced last season.
But with 33 doubles, three triples and a .289 average, Yoshida accomplished a lot last season and should be even better in his second season in the majors.
3. J.D. Martinez
Just because no team was in a rush to sign him this offseason doesn't mean J.D. Martinez can't still hit. He proved that last year with the Dodgers, producing an OPS of .893 to go along with 33 homers and 103 RBI.
Granted, part of his success is likely due to hitting in a loaded Los Angeles lineup. However, the senior still has plenty of power and character to be one of the best hitters in 2024.
2. Yordan Alvarez
While he has seen some time in the outfield in recent years, it appears that Yordan Alvarez will be Houston's primary DH this year. Honestly, that's where he belongs because hitting is what he does best. Alvarez is only 26 years old, yet he has hit 101 home runs over the past three seasons.
Let's not forget that he hit over .300 in 2022 and .293 last year. Alvarez will likely flirt with a .300 and 1.000 OPS this season, which means he's not too far behind the guy at the top of our list.
1. Shohei Ohtani
He may not be playing this season but Shohei Ohtani is still the best hitter in MLB. He wasn't the consensus MVP last season just because of his work on the mound. Ohtani blasted an AL-high 44 home runs last season while also batting .304 and producing an OPS of 1.066.
Believe it or not, the metrics tell us he continues to improve as a hitter. Since he won't be distracted by having to pitch once a week, Ohtani could be a better hitter in 2024 than he was before, which is a scary thought.
