Designated hitters limber up
Before all the self-proclaimed purists forecasting the destruction of baseball strategy and the very sanctity of the sport as we know it go berserk bemoaning the inclusion of a designated hitter in the National League this season, remember this:
In a most remarkable October full of huge momentum swings, the pivotal blow that decided last year’s World Series was delivered by, yep, the NL DH.
OK, that clang resonating off the right field foul screen at Minute Maid Park – courtesy of Howie Kendrick’s home run in Game 7 for the visiting Washington Nationals – probably won’t drown out the wailing of longtime National League fans over the plan to play this virus-delayed season with a (gasp!) DH in both circuits. And it certainly won’t quell the debate that’s raged since April 6, 1973, when Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees stepped to the plate at Fenway Park as Major League Baseball’s first DH (and drew a bases-loaded walk from Luis Tiant).
To many NL fans, the simple scribble of “DH” on the lineup card sullies the whole stadium. To lots of AL fans, the mere sight of a pitcher touching a Louisville Slugger is a total affront to the diamond.
No matter, that’s part of the proposal MLB owners are making to players – a full-time DH in the National League, same as the AL. This year, only.
Who’s up?
Kyle Schwarber (Cubs), Nick Castellanos (Reds) and Dominic Smith (Mets) made it to the majors with their bats, not gloves. They’d be natural fits.
Christian Yelich (Brewers), Yoenis Céspedes (Mets) and Hunter Pence (Giants) are coming off injuries. The DH spot would give them a break from the daily grind.
Kevin Cron (Diamondbacks) hit 38 homers in Triple-A and six more for Arizona. With first baseman Christian Walker coming off a breakout season, Cron could have a new slot. Justin Turner (Dodgers), Ryan Braun (Brewers) and Jay Bruce (Phillies) are among older players who might see time there. The Nationals (Ryan Zimmerman, Starlin Castro, Eric Thames and Kendrick) and the Rockies (Daniel Murphy and Ian Desmond) could rotate. Nick Markakis and Adam Duvall would benefit in a crowded Braves outfield.
Ouch!
Max Scherzer, Masahiro Tanaka and Adam Wainwright are among the aces in recent years to be injured either batting or running the bases. With a stop-and-go spring training and a desire to ramp up quickly to regular-season speed, no one wants to see pitchers get sidelined doing something besides throwing.
Who does this rule hurt? Start with Madison Bumgarner, the power-hitting pitcher who signed with Arizona. He loves to hit and once toyed with entering the All-Star Home Run Derby. The Diamondbacks would probably rather put up someone paid to bat.
Opportunity knocks
Sonny Gray (Reds), Sandy Alcantara (Marlins) and Chris Paddack (Padres) all start for teams that struggle to score runs. With the DH, managers might let them stay in longer, instead of pulling them for a pinch-hitter.
Yasiel Puig doesn’t have a team. He combined for 24 homers and 84 RBIs with Cincinnati and Cleveland last year and remains a free agent.