Giancarlo Stanton
AP Photo/Kathy Willens

You don’t get fantasy points for defense, right? These guys will only hit and that’s all you need. 

Before we examine the top outfielders for your fantasy draft this year, there’s one more spot in American League lineups to consider. The next stop in our 2021 fantasy baseball preview series is the designated hitter.

1. JD Martinez, Boston Red Sox

Martinez had a brutal 2020 campaign and blamed it on his inability to use video in the dugout to prepare for plate appearances. With video back in 2021, we’re crossing our fingers that his offense returns as well. The Red Sox lineup will look different around him again this year, however.

2. Nelson Cruz, Minnesota Twins

Re-signing with the Twins was as important for Cruz as it was for Cruz. He simply doesn’t seem to age at all and is still a beast.

3. Yordan Álvarez, Houston Astros

Álvarez broke out in Houston a couple years ago but took a step back last year because of injury. The Astros are hoping he is the 40-homer candidate he appeared to be in his rookie season.

4. Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees

Like Aaron Judge, Stanton’s health has been an issue in recent seasons. There’s no denying his power and keeping him out of the outfield might help him stay in the lineup more frequently.

5. Jorge Soler, Kansas City Royals

Soler led the American League in home runs not too long ago and still has a huge bat. He’s a guy who you could consider in a deep outfield set as well.

6. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

We need to see a full season of Ohtani to buy his bat, but if he can give you four games each week at the plate he’ll put up numbers.

7. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

Cabrera will shepherd a young Tigers lineup into the future this year while chasing some number of historic significance. In a deeper league he might be worth considering this year as a bench bat.

8. Andrew Vaughn, Chicago White Sox

The top prospect in the White Sox organization hasn’t taken a big league at bat – yet. But he received an invite to Spring Training and indications are that he might be in the mix to split time between DH and first base, giving José Abreu a break. He’s got a solid bat and could be an impact DH if he makes the cut.

9. Khris Davis, Texas Rangers

Davis was traded for Elvis Andrus, making him the likely everyday DH in Texas. He was miserable in 2020 and will need to show signs early in the season that he’s back in some regard to be interesting in your fantasy league.

10. Franmil Reyes, Cleveland Indians

Reyes is an imposing figure in the box and can hit the ball a country mile. But he needs to make more contact to be a firm consideration for your fantasy lineup.

Tab has written about MLB, the NHL and the NFL for more than a decade for publications including The Fourth Period, Bleacher Report and La Vida Baseball. He is the author of two books about the Chicago Blackhawks and has been credentialed for the MLB All-Star Game and postseason and multiple Stanley Cup Finals. He is the co-host of the Line Drive Radio podcast.