2016 Positional Breakdown - Designated Hitter

DH isn't the most exciting position.  Hitters that only have DH eligibility often fall in drafts because they remove flexibility from a team’s roster composition. DH eligible players can often be pretty big values if taken at the right time in the draft.  There are a number of players that have additional positional eligibility along with DH, and I've already talked about them in other articles.  I'm going to keep this one short and focus on players that will only have DH eligibility in 2016:

1. Prince Fielder (Auction $21): In years past, Fielder played first base.  He's another year older and has had bones fused in his neck.  That said, he can still hit the ball a mile.  Fielder should have a productive season and is falling a bit lower in drafts than he should be.  I'd be willing to scoop him up for the right price.
   
   My projections for Fielder:  75 / 26 / 93 / 0 / .278
   
   
2. David Ortiz (Auction $17): Full disclosure, I'm a die-hard Red Sox fan.  I've seen more of David Ortiz than just about anyone. This will be his farewell tour and I have a tough time believing he will struggle this year, even at age 40.  Every at bat, he's swinging for the fences.  Even if there is a drop in average, I expect the HR totals to be there at the end of the year.
   
   My projections for Ortiz:  70 / 28 / 87 / 0 / .266
   
   
3. Miguel Sano (Auction $15): Check your league settings, depending on your eligibility rules, Sano may qualify for other positions.  Sano has a lot of power, but he's very young and very raw.  I expect some growing pains, but I think he will have a productive year.  Most others have him projected higher than I do and I expect he will go in drafts well before I’m willing to take him.
   
   My projections for Sano:  78 / 30 / 84 / 2 / .248
   
   
4. Kendrys Morales (Auction $10): In many mock drafts I've done, Morales has fallen a lot farther than his production warrants.  To me, this has to do with his eligibility, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't draft him.  It means he will be a very nice value for someone later in a draft.
   
   My projections for Morales:  60 / 20 / 77 / 0 / .270
   
   
5. Evan Gattis (Auction $10): Gattis was much more appealing when he qualified at catcher.  However even only qualifying at DH he still can provide some good power at the utility spot on a roster.  Even with the recent hernia surgery, he should be ready for opening day.
   
   My projections for Gattis:  66 / 27 / 77 / 0 / .248
   
   
6. Victor Martinez (Auction $6): Doesn’t it feel like Victor has been in the league forever?  Well, that's because he has.  Martinez turns 38 this year, but still has one of the best eyes at the plate.  You can count on him for a great average and while the power may not be there, he's still going to be productive in the Tigers lineup.
   
   My projections for Martinez:  51 / 14 / 69 / 0 / .280
   
   
7. Alex Rodriguez (Auction $3): There's no question A-Rod isn't what he once was.  He's 40 and at the tail end of his career.  Even still, he is good enough to be a very late round producer if you have room at your utility slot.
   
   My projections for Rodriguez:  59 / 19 / 62 / 3 / .248
   
   
8. Billy Butler (Auction $1): 59 / 14 / 65 / 0 / 261
9. John Jaso (Auction $1): 43 / 9 / 49 / 2 / .273

Check out my other positional breakdowns:

Catcher: here
First Base: here
Second Base: here
Third Base: here
Shortstop: here
Outfield: here
Designated Hitter here
Starting Pitching: here
Relief Pitching: Coming soon