AL East Positional Face-Off – Designated Hitter

[Note by hugo, 03/12/09 4:28 PM EDT ]:  Promoted from FanPosts

Typically a DH is a veteran player who has lost his defensive abilities over the years but can still mash.  In the past it has been rare that a young player can make it to the majors without defensive ability enough to hold a position but recently there have been some special bats come to the majors like our very own Adam Lind and KC’s Billy Butler that have such a special talent at the plate that they take over as a DH right away.  Whether that hinders their development or not is yet to be seen however it seems that it may in Butler’s case.  We will see how Lind reacts in 2009.

1. David Ortiz (BOS)

Big Papi was slowed by a wrist injury in 2008 and saw his production drop off significantly hitting only .264/23HR/89RBI in 416 ABs.  Wrist injuries are very tough on hitters, especially power hitters but Ortiz is expected to be fully healthy to begin 2009 and should see is production go way up but possibly not to where it was a few seasons ago due to age and the fact that the injury bug can always come back.  I suspect something like .300/35HR/120RBI with a OPS around .950 as achievable for Big Papi.

2. Pat Burrell (TB)

Pat has packed up his bat and moved from the WS champ Phillies to the runner-up Rays in 2009 and will be their primary DH.  Over his career Burrell has been a streaky hitter but in the end he can be counted on for 30HR, close to 100 RBI, a .250 average and an OPS of .900.  Almost exactly what you’d expect from a good DH.

3. Hideki Matsui (NYY)

I’m ranking the Yankees primary DH ahead of Lind because of past production and his ability to come close to that production if not relied upon to play in the field everyday however, Matsui is a high injury risks and will likely lose playtime to Posada and any one of the Yankee OFs.  If healthy and playing everyday as DH Matsui should be able to pop out 20-25HR and knock in 80-90 runs with a .280 average. 

4. Adam Lind (TOR)

At 25 years old Lind will take over as the Jay’s primary DH which was a black hole for the offence in 2008.  Given his minor league track record, his youth and the success he had after earning playtime in 2008 Lind could be poised for a breakout in 2009.  I will go with what I consider a conservative estimation of his stats at .275/18HR/70RBI .800 OPS, I feel that if the stars align Lind could hit closer to .300 with 25HR and an OPS closer to .900 but I’ll stay conservative with my predictions and keep my ‘homer’ hopes for myself.

5. Ty Wigginton (BAL)

Wiggy is slated to be the Os DH for 2009, after posting 23 HR in 386 AB last year one might think with full time play at DH he could beat 30HR however he is likely to lose some playing time as the Orioles move towards youth and he did hit 12 of his 23 HR in one month last year so without his hot August he wouldn’t have finished with 23 HR.  I see something like .270/15HR/60 RBI and an OPS of .800ish.  He does rival Big Papi for having the best DH nickname (not even sure if Wiggy is his actual nickname but to me it is…"getting Wiggy wit it").

The tally so far:

New York: 30

Boston: 30

Tampa Bay: 29

Toronto: 24

Baltimore: 22

Up next…Ace Starter