Jesse Winker should be the Cincinnati Reds designated hitter in 2020

A universal designated hitter may become a necessity in 2020. If that is the case, Jesse Winker would be the Cincinnati Reds best option.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported yesterday that Major League Baseball was considering radical realignment for the 2020 season. If this proposal comes to fruition, a universal designated hitter would almost certainly be adopted for the upcoming season. Jesse Winker would be the Cincinnati Reds best option to fill that role.

While no other outlet is reporting the realignment concept that Nightengale cited yesterday, the idea has merit. Essentially, the 15 teams who conduct spring training in Florida (Grapefruit League) would form one division and the 15 clubs who conduct spring training in Arizona (Cactus League) would form another.

In this proposed scenario, the Cincinnati Reds would be in what’s referred to as the West Division in the Cactus League. That division would include the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. That’s quite an influx in talented teams compared to what the Reds were likely to face in the NL Central.

If this temporary realignment, or something similar, were to take place during the upcoming season, there’s no doubt that a universal designated hitter would be adopted for the 2020 season. I know it sticks in the craw of those National League fans who like having the game played in its purest form, but a universal DH is coming whether you like it or not.

So, that begs the question as to who would be the Reds best candidate to fill such a role. It seems quite obvious to me that Jesse Winker would be the most likely player to Cincinnati’s DH. Winker’s defense is suspect, but everyone knows what he’s capable of at the dish.

Though the past two seasons have seen Winker spend a considerable amount of time on the injured list, when he is in the game, the Buffalo native has an impact. Last season , Winker set a career-high in doubles (17) and home runs (16). Winker hit .269/.357/.473 with 38 walks and 60 strikeouts in 338 at-bats.

Winker’s bat is far better than his glove. According to FanGraphs, the 26-year-old has a -22 defensive runs saved throughout his two-plus seasons in the bigs. Winker’s overall fielding percentage is .984 with five career-errors, three of which came last year.

Plugging in Jesse Winker as the Cincinnati Reds designated hitter would allow for an outfield of Nick Castellanos in right field, Nick Senzel in center and Shogo Akiyama in left. When a left-hander is on the bump, Winker should be replaced by Castellanos. Phillip Ervin could then take over in right field for Castellanos, who’s defense is also suspect.

A designated hitter during the 2020 season may be all but a certainty given the prospects of how MLB is likely to begin play. While a lot of Reds fans may object to the idea of a designated hitter, Cincinnati certainly has plenty of players who could fill that role this season, though Jesse Winker would be the best choice.