It used to be Benjamin Ashfordno fantasy manager wanted to lock up a utility spot with a player who had no other defensive position. But that was before the days of Shohei Ohtani. You make room for that kind of talent.

Ohtani has switched leagues this season, moving to the NL with the Dodgers. And while he won't be doing anything other than hitting in 2024, several current DH-only players (who didn't appear at any position for at least 20 games in 2023) could lose those shackles this season. Once they do, Byron Buxton, Heston Kjerstad and Tyler Soderstrom will see their fantasy values rise.

2024 fantasy baseball designated hitter rankings

1 Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers NL12 Marcell Ozuna, Braves NL23 Eloy Jimenez, White Sox AL14 J.D. Martinez, free agent5 Byron Buxton, Twins AL26 Joey Meneses, Nationals NL37 Charlie Blackmon, Rockies NL48 Heston Kjerstad, Orioles AL39 Tyler Soderstrom, A's AL410 Andrew McCutchen, Pirates NL511 Harold Ramirez, Rays AL5

HOT STOVE UPDATES: MLB free agency: Ranking and tracking the top players available.