ESPN Ranks Phillies’ Designated Hitter Options

In a potential return for MLB, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that National League teams will likely have to implement a DH, among other changes.

The proposal still has to get approval from the MLB Players Association.

As we pointed out recently, the Phillies have a few options to be the DH on their current roster, but what teams will benefit the most?

For Philadelphia, ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle doesn't see a very good option for the Phillies and ranked them No. 30, dead last, among all 30 teams, noting the two best options as Jay Bruce and Neil Walker.

The Phillies have lots of options in the DH mix, many of them with recognizable names. Name recognition does not necessarily equate to production. The ideal situation would be for powerhouse third-base prospect Alec Bohm to slug his way into a regular role. Beyond that, a Jay Bruce-Neil Walker platoon might be the unsexy outcome. Both are solid veterans on the downside. One thing the Phillies do have is a former AL manager in Joe Girardi who is used to dealing with the DH juggling act.

The two names that Doolittle mentioned are both options, but maybe the most intriguing name that he listed is former first-round pick Alec Bohm. Bohm is not considered to be a very good defensive player at this stage of his career, but his bat would provide some pop in the middle of the Phillies lineup.

Bohn, a right-handed bat, could certainly be a situational DH against right-handed pitching, while Bruce, a lefty, could handle the role against right-handed pitching.

If Bohm gets the opportunity, the Phillies could move up these ranking if he lives up to the hype.