Breaking Down Top 10 MLB Position Players: Designated Hitters Edition

Spring training is finally here, which means baseball fans are buzzing with excitement for the new season. As part of ESPN’s annual rankings, Buster Olney is breaking down the best players at each position heading into 2025. Today, we’re diving into the world of designated hitters—those big bats whose sole job is to mash baseballs and put runs on the board. Among the top 10 MLB position players, designated hitters play a crucial role in shaping the offensive landscape of the game.

The designated hitter (DH) role has evolved over the years, especially since the National League adopted it in 2022. While the expectation was that scoring would increase with more offensive-minded players in the lineup, the reality has been a bit different. Pitching has gotten stronger, and teams are relying more on dominant bullpens to shut down opposing hitters.

Still, the impact of an elite DH can’t be ignored. These sluggers change the course of games with a single swing, and their ability to consistently deliver at the plate makes them invaluable. So, who are the best DHs in baseball right now? Let’s break it down.

1. Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers

Is there anything Ohtani can’t do? Even with his return to pitching in 2025, his bat remains one of the most dangerous in the game. Last season, he put up absurd numbers—hitting .304 with 44 home runs and an MLB-best 1.066 OPS. He might get fewer at-bats this year, but don’t expect a major drop in production. Ohtani is still the gold standard.

2. Yordan Alvarez – Houston Astros

Alvarez has accepted that he’s more valuable as a full-time DH than in left field, especially given his injury history. He’s a pure hitter with one of the most lethal swings in baseball. Last season, only a few hitters—Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Juan Soto—outperformed him in advanced metrics. When he’s healthy, he’s a nightmare for pitchers.

3. Marcell Ozuna – Atlanta Braves

Ozuna bounced back in a big way last year, proving he’s still one of the best run producers in the game. The Braves had an easy decision picking up his $16 million option after he hit .302 with 39 homers and 104 RBIs in all 162 games. When he’s locked in, he can carry an offense by himself.

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4. Brent Rooker – Oakland Athletics

Rooker was a monster in clutch situations last year, hitting .338 with runners in scoring position and posting an insane .669 slugging percentage. He’s one of those under-the-radar guys who doesn’t get enough credit, but if he continues this trajectory, he won’t be overlooked for much longer.

5. Kyle Schwarber – Philadelphia Phillies

Schwarber is on the verge of two major career milestones—he’s 16 homers away from 300 and 95 hits from 1,000. While his batting average isn’t great, his power and on-base skills make him a key part of the Phillies’ offense. With free agency looming, he has extra motivation to put up big numbers this season.

6. Seiya Suzuki – Chicago Cubs

With a crowded Cubs outfield, Suzuki is expected to see more time at DH, which isn’t a bad thing. He actually hit better in that role last season, posting a .298 batting average and a .386 OBP. If he continues to thrive in this spot, the Cubs’ offense will benefit greatly.

7. Kerry Carpenter – Detroit Tigers

Carpenter only played 87 games last year, but when he did, he raked. He crushed 39 extra-base hits and slugged .587. If he can stay on the field for a full season, he could be the breakout star of 2025. Detroit is counting on his bat to be a major factor.

8. Joc Pederson – Texas Rangers

Pederson is your classic power hitter—he won’t steal bases, play defense, or hit lefties, but when he connects, it’s electric. He was lethal in clutch situations last season, hitting .346 with a 1.164 OPS in high-pressure moments. The Rangers will rely on his bat to provide big-time power.

9. Ryan O’Hearn – Baltimore Orioles

O’Hearn split time between DH and first base last year, but he really thrived when he wasn’t in the field. In 54 games as a DH, he hit .280 with a .353 OBP. If the Orioles stick with that strategy, he could see an even bigger role this season.

10. Jorge Soler – Los Angeles Angels

Soler’s defense has declined to the point where he’s almost unplayable in the outfield, but his bat still makes him a valuable piece. He struggled with Atlanta defensively, which led to a trade to the Angels. Still, he posted a solid 121 OPS+ last year, proving he can still do damage at the plate.

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Source: Buster Olney’s Top 10 MLB position players: Designated hitters

Who Just Missed the Cut

Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees – Injuries have slowed him down, but when healthy, he’s still a force. He had a strong postseason last year and is chasing the 500-home run mark (currently at 429).
Masataka Yoshida, Boston Red Sox – The Red Sox might move on from Yoshida, as their best lineup option involves Rafael Devers taking more DH at-bats.
Jesse Winker, New York Mets – He could be a sleeper pick to crack this list by year’s end, especially with the protection he’ll have in the Mets’ deep lineup.

Breaking Down Top 10 MLB Position Players: Designated Hitters Edition

Is the DH Rule Actually Helping Offense

When the National League adopted the DH, people expected scoring to skyrocket. That hasn’t exactly happened. Before the universal DH (2018-2019, 2021), the NL averaged a .247 batting average, .317 OBP, .406 SLG, and 4.51 runs per game. Since the rule change (2022-2024), the numbers have barely budged: .247 BA, .320 OBP, .414 SLG, and 4.54 runs per game.

So what’s the deal? Pitching has simply gotten better. Starters throw fewer innings, while bullpens are deeper and more dominant than ever. The trend of stacking elite relievers has made it harder for offenses to explode the way many expected.

One proposed solution is limiting how many pitchers a team can use per game. This would force managers to lean on starters longer, increasing the chances for offenses to take advantage as pitchers tire.

Regardless of how the game evolves, one thing is clear: designated hitters will always be some of the biggest stars in baseball. These players aren’t just here to take at-bats—they’re here to change games. And in 2025, this list of hitters will be leading the charge.