DH Option for the Braves

Well, It was Tuesday night and I was putting my youngest to bed when the MLB app dinged giving me a notification. I looked at my phone as I was singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star to my daughter, and at that moment a grin came over my face. It was over, both the MLB owners and the MLBPA had agreed on a deal to play the 2020 season. There are many factors that will intrigue me during this 60-game shortened 2020 season. See the list of the different rules that I have read about at the bottom of this article.

The biggest rule change that was passed at least for this year and maybe into next year, is the National League teams will now have a designated hitter (DH) instead of allowing the pitcher to hit. Baseball has been debating this rule change for the NL for many years, and with the corona virus pandemic taking place right now, there isn’t a better time to change the rule than now. Reason, pitchers are going to feel pressure to catch up while throwing less innings because of the shortened season, so taxing them to try to hit might cause more pressure. I really like pitchers hitting. That’s all I have known for my National league team in my 43 years. With a pitcher hitting, that means both managers have to strategize more. But now, just plug a slugger in the DH role and let’s play. Now that this has been changed, it has changed for good. National League can match the American League with the DH, and pitchers will never have to hit again. At least not in my lifetime.

I took a little time to look over the Braves roster and pick who I believe will benefit the most with the DH. And the two names that stuck with me were both LF/3B Austin Riley and RF Nick Markakis. With Braves signing LF Marcell Ozuna from the Cardinals during the offseason, that all but shut the door placing Riley in left field, except for giving Ozuna a rest. Then there is the third base option. Riley is deemed as the future at third base for the Braves, and with Josh Donaldson jetting to the Twin Cities, that left the door open for Riley at third. But a decline in productivity late in the 2019 season made the Braves brass think differently. With this shortened season, sending Riley to Triple-A is all but gone. Riley will compete with utility player Johan Camargo for the hot corner spot. When a righthander is pitching, then Camargo who is left handed will hit. When a left hander is pitching, the Riley who is right handed will hit. But I still think that when Riley is not in the field, he will be manager Brian Snitker’s top choice at DH. Riley needs to get as many at bats against pitchers throwing both right and lefties. Being the future at third, he needs to see as many at bats as possible.

My second go to player for DH will be left hand batter right fielder Nick Markakis. With a crowded outfield already, Markakis wasn’t even thought to re-sign with the Braves, and with the DH now in play, Markakis fits perfectly when a right hander is on the mound. When Markakis is DH, Braves can have an outfield of (L) Ozuna, (C) Ender Inciarte, (R) Ronald Acuna, Jr. When Markakis is playing right, Inciarte comes out and Braves slide Acuna, Jr. to center field. Left fielder Adam Duvall also plays in this mix to give Ozuna a rest in left field as well.

New Rules for the 2020 Season

-All teams play in their home stadiums.

-Teams play in their regions. NL East plays AL East. NL Central plays AL Central. NL West plays AL West. This limits travel. Example: Braves will play in their division the NL East 40 games and teams from the AL East 20 games. See below photo for teams.

-Designated hitter (DH) for both leagues

Temperature/symptom checks twice per day (easy to enforce)

-Antibody testing once per month (easy to enforce)

-Social distancing encouraged on and off the field (hard to enforce)

-Non playing personal must wear masks in the dugout and bullpen (easy to enforce)

-No pregame exchange of lineup cards (easy to enforce)

-No celebratory contact (hard to enforce)

-No spitting or chewing of tobacco /sunflower seeds (hard to enforce)

-Ball will be thrown out once touched by multiple players (easy to enforce)

Fights are strictly prohibited (hard to enforce)