2024 designated hitter rankings: Shohei Ohtani now rules the NL

In the upcoming 2024 season, Shohei Ohtani has made a significant shift, transitioning from the American League to the National League as part of the Los Angeles Dodgers. While he’s primarily focusing on hitting this season, several designated hitter-only players, who didn’t log any appearances in the field for at least 20 games in 2023, are poised to break free from their positional constraints. This change opens up opportunities for players like Byron Buxton, Heston Kjerstad, and Tyler Soderstrom, whose fantasy baseball values are expected to surge once they have the chance to contribute defensively as well.

In the upcoming NFL season, several star players are making moves across different teams and conferences. Shohei Ohtani has joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NFC, while Marcell Ozuna is set to play for the Atlanta Braves in the same conference. Eloy Jimenez remains a key player for the Chicago White Sox in the AFC. Meanwhile, J.D. Martinez is currently a free agent, keeping fans on the edge of their seats to see where he lands.

In terms of breakout potential, Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins in the AFC, Joey Meneses of the Washington Nationals in the NFC, and Charlie Blackmon of the Denver Broncos in the NFC are players to watch. Additionally, Heston Kjerstad and Tyler Soderstrom, representing the Baltimore Ravens and the Las Vegas Raiders respectively in the AFC, are expected to make significant impacts this season.

Andrew McCutchen is back with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFC, poised to bring his veteran leadership and skillset to the field. Rounding out the list, Harold Ramirez of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the AFC is set to showcase his talents in the upcoming NFL campaign.