20 Greatest Designated Hitters of All-Time

Ranking the greatest Designated Hitters in baseball history. Updated through 2025: Shohei Ohtani, Paul Molitor, Frank Thomas, Edgar Martinez, and more. Even steroid users like David Ortiz and Nelson Cruz.

Baseball Player Rankings by Position

NAMERNKHOFFROMTOWARWAR7WAR5CWAR3CHWARJAWSSCORE
Frank Thomas1Y1990200873.845.131.821.10.459.5309.9
Paul Molitor2Y1978199875.739.725.417.911.957.7276.3
Edgar Martinez3Y1987200468.343.630.220.00.056.0275.6
Shohei Ohtani42018202535.235.130.021.79.235.2237.2
Brian Downing51973199251.529.017.015.50.040.3189.9
David Ortiz61997201655.335.025.017.415.045.2185.9
Edwin Encarnacion72005202035.526.621.013.52.031.1168.7
Victor Martinez82002201831.928.317.115.00.030.1156.4
Nelson Cruz9..202342.229.821.614.45.636.0153.6
Yordan Alvarez102019202524.324.319.916.713.624.3150.4
Harold Baines11Y1980200138.721.215.110.50.030.0146.3
Travis Hafner122002201324.824.719.716.30.024.8141.4
Hal McRae131968198727.924.216.413.63.426.1135.1
Mike Sweeney141995201024.721.718.713.50.023.2129.7
Don Baylor151970198828.521.713.310.51.925.1124.5
Andre Thornton161973198724.123.312.212.60.023.7117.1
Kendrys Morales172006201913.014.110.29.32.413.678.8
Billy Butler182007201611.513.112.28.60.012.376.8
Cliff Johnson191972198616.214.47.78.83.115.375.7
Ken Phelps20198019909.410.810.27.50.010.160.3