Major League Baseball finally has a plan to start the 2020 season. Under the plan mandated by the commissioner, the 2020 season will consist of 60 games, no spitting, and a DH in the National League. It has been suggested by many around the league that the universal DH will become a permanent fixture in the game, especially when the new CBA agreement is formed in 2022. As we look ahead to the long-waited season, let’s take a look at three players who could be seen at DH in the Brewers’ lineup.
DH Candidate #1- Ryan Braun
The most obvious choice for a regular DH in the Brewers’ lineup is Ryan Braun. Braun is entering his age 36 season and has seen his numbers dip over the past few seasons, though 2019 was better than 2017 and 2018. With the acquisition of Avisail Garcia, Braun’s days as a regular starter in the outfield appear to be over. In addition, the signing of Justin Smoak to play first base signaled that Braun would not see regular starts at first base either.
Now with the DH option, Braun has the potential to be in the lineup everyday. The ability to focus more on hitting will undoubtedly help his numbers, or at least slow their decline. He hit .285/.353/.505 last season with 22 home runs and 75 RBI. This was much better than 2018 when he hit .254/.313/.469 with 20 home runs and 64 RBI
Will being a DH help improve Braun’s numbers? Maybe, but we will not know until the season is in full swing. Recently, though, Braun has said playing in a shortened season without fans has made him wonder if he does not want 2020 to be his last in a Brewers’ uniform. He does a mutual option in his contract for $15 million and a $4 million buyout. It is unlikely the Brewers will want to pay him $15 million in 2021, but he could be brought back for less on a new contract. If the DH stays in the NL after the new CBA is decided in 2022, perhaps he stays even longer.
DH Candidate #2- Keston Hiura
Keston Hiura exploded onto the scene midway through last season. In just 84 games, he hit .303/.368/.570 with 19 home runs and 49 RBI. Just imagine what damage he will do in a full 162-game season! As good as he was offensively, he struggled defensively at second base.
In his short season in the Majors, Hiura committed 16 errors at second base and had negative nine runs saved as a defender. Of course, he is still quite young and has time to improve. After all, Robin Yount committed 44 errors during his rookie season before going on to win a MVP Award at short stop.
However, the 2020 season will only be 60 games long. Each game is important and the Brewers, especially, cannot afford defensive miscues to cost them games. If Hiura struggles on defense, look for him to make appearances at DH. His bat is far too valuable to take out of the game in a defensive substitution, but his glove needs work. Playing DH, at least for part of 2020, will allow the Brewers to utilize his bat without worrying about his defense costing them runs.
DH Candidate #3- Logan Morrison
Brewers newcomer Logan Morrison could find his way into the lineup as the DH. Under the terms of the shortened season, the Brewers will be allowed to carry 30 players on the Major League roster. Morrison, a long shot to make the team when he signed, was making a great impression in Spring Training before it was postponed. In 12 Spring Training games, Morrison was hitting .300/.364/.600 with three home runs and seven RBI.
These numbers, though, are far below his career averages. In ten seasons, Morrison is a .239/.324/.426 hitter with 139 home runs and 424 RBI. For his career, he has played first base and the corner outfield spots. Additionally, he has spent some time as a DH, appearing in 35 games in that role during his time in the American League.
Morrison’s best offensive season came in 2017 when he hit .246/.353/.516 with 38 home runs and 85 RBI. In the past two seasons, though, he has battled injuries and has struggled to hit above .200. Spring Training, however, seemed to indicate that Morrison has put his struggles behind him and is ready to contribute to a Major League club. Of course, no one will know for sure how well he will play until baseball is played. With an already crowded outfield and first base rotation, Morrison could be a valuable addition to the expanded roster and see time at DH.
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