MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown 2011: Designated Hitters

            The designated hitter is still being transformed as a position in the eyes of many major league organizations. Teams like the Red Sox who employ a full time DH in David Ortiz. Other teams put poor defensive players in the DH spot as often as they can like the Royals do with Billy Butler. The original intent of the DH upon inception into the league was to allow for older players with more miles on them to still get some at bats. This was the case for Vladimir Guerrero with the Baltimore Orioles this year. How teams choose the designated hitter is their own business. How you choose to use you DH is also your own business. That has never stopped me from offering unsolicited advice before and will not this time.

            First I will say that the designated hitters are not designed to start at their printed points in the 2011 set. Many leagues of have different rules on the DH. Do whatever you want with your own league. If your league chooses to play with a DH instead of National League rules then choose how you will point them. Adding an extra half to their points is about fair (200 point player costs 300 points). You may also choose to play with a DH as their points are listed. If this is the case get a DH as early as possible because they are a phenomenal deal. We play National League rules only and a DH may only play first base in the 7^th or later (may pinch hit in the bottom of the 6^th and play first after).

            There are no real line ups for any of these guys because league rules will vary the most on who can play and who can not. They are cheap and slow and hit pretty well for the price more often then not. David Ortiz is the best DH no matter what the rules are. He is the most powerful. He has a nice 10 on base. He only costs 270 points unadjusted (54 points off the bench). He is slow as the DMV on a Friday with a speed C (8). For another cheap power hitter look at Jason Giambi as a 150 point unadjusted (30 off the bench) 8 with an 18-20 homer. He is as fast as the DMV on a Wednesday with a speed C (9). Uses as pinch hitters or line up players for ether of them for pop.

            The guy who is fighting for all he is worth to earn Hall of Fame numbers in real life is Johnny Damon. He does not need to fight to have a useful card in Showdown in a none power line up. He is a 180 point unadjusted speed A(18) with a 7 on base. He has a very eventful chart with 19-20 HR, 17-18 3B, 14-16 2B, 13 Single +. He can do a lot of good things in almost any type of line up that enjoys speed.

            Victor Martinez is a 200 point 10, speed C (9) with a 17-20 2B. Nice pinch hitter for the price. Pinch hitters are useless unless they get the advantage. He will get the advantage for cheap. The last guy to spot light who has an interesting potential use is Willy Mo Pena. Those familiar with him are very aware what that ability is. The question is how useful is he with that huge swing. He is a 5 for 110 points unadjusted with a 14-20 HR. For 22 points as a pinch hitter is he worth the risk to carry on the bench? I am not sure. If he gets the advantage verse a low control or tired pitcher. Maybe he could be of use just to scare tired pitchers out of the game. Worth a look in my book.