Bernie on the Scene: Final Fantasy Rankings

Today I offer my final fantasy rankings for 2022: designated hitter and reliever rankings. 

These two categories are very dependent upon the player's team. In both lists, I take into account how I believe each player will perform relative to his team and the park factors.

As usual, relief pitching will be at a premium. Closers may lose their jobs under impatient managers, which I took that into account.

Many more players may be used as designated hitters during the season. Since we have no history with the National League, I have given it my most careful consideration.

Designated Hitters

1. Yordan Alvarez, Astros
2. Shohei Ohtani, Angels
3. Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees
4. J.D. Martinez, Red Sox
5. Franmil Reyes, Guardians
6. Max Muncy, Dodgers
7. Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
8. Austin Meadows, Rays
9. Jesse Winker, Mariners
10. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
11. Darin Ruf, Giants
12. Luke Voit, Padres
13. Nelson Cruz, Nationals
14. Gavin Sheets, White Sox
15. Jorge Soler, Marlins
16. Charlie Blackmon, Rockies
17. Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays
18. Raimel Tapia, Blue Jays
19. Andrew Vaughn, White Sox
20. Willie Calhoun, Rangers
21. Andrew McCutchen, Brewers
22. Hunter Dozier, Royals
23. Ryan O'Hearn, Royals
24. Luis Arraez, Twins
25. Jed Lowrie, Athletics
26. Seth Beer, Diamondbacks
27. Garrett Cooper, Marlins
28. Keston Hiura, Brewers
29. Corey Dickerson, Cardinals
30. Robinson Cano, Mets
31. Alex Dickerson, Braves
32. Clint Frazier, Cubs
33. Yonathan Daza, Rockies
34. Nick Solak, Rangers
35. Colin Moran, Reds
36. Edwin Rios, Dodgers
37. Brett Phillips, Rays
38. Brent Rooker, Twins
39. Rafael Ortega, Cubs
40. Aristides Aquino, Reds
41. J.D. Davis, Mets
42. Christian Arroyo, Red Sox
43. Harold Ramirez, Rays
44. Daniel Vogelbach, Pirates
45. Anthony Alford, Pirates
46. Albert Pujols, Cardinals
47. Micker Adolfo, White Sox

Relievers

1. Josh Hader, Brewers
2. Liam Hendriks, White Sox
3. Ryan Pressly, Astros
4. Edwin Diaz, Mets
5. Emmanuel Clase, Guardians
6. Kenley Jansen, Braves
7. Aroldis Chapman, Yankees
8. Jordan Romano, Blue Jays
9. Raisel Iglesias, Angels
10. Craig Kimbrel=Dodgers
11. Giovanny Gallegos, Cardinals
12. Taylor Rogers, Twins
13. Matt Barnes, Red Sox
14. Devin Williams, Brewers
15. Andrew Kittredge, Rays
16. Will Smith, Braves
17. Gregory Soto, Tigers
18. Corey Knebel, Philies
19. Jake McGee, Giants
20. Jonathan Loaisiga, Yankees
21. Garrett Whitlock, Red Sox
22. Trevor May, Mets
23. Genesis Cabrera, Cardinals
24. Chad Green, Yankees
25. Blake Treinen, Dodgers
26. Daniel Hudson, Dodgers
27. Paul Sewald, Mariners
28. JT Chargois, Rays
29. Camilo Doval, Giants
30. Joe Barlow, Rangers
31. Michael Kopech, White Sox
32. Brusdar Graterol, Dodgers
33. Hector Neris, Astros
34. Jake Diekman, Red Sox
35. Yimi Garcia, Blue Jays
36. Scott Barlow, Royals
37. Anthony Bender, Marlins
38. Jordan Hicks, Cardinals
39. Kendall Graveman, White Sox
40. Aaron Bummer, White Sox
41. Ryan Tepera, Angels
42. Diego Castillo, Mariners
43. Andrew Chafin, Tigers
44. Seth Lugo, Mets
45. Aaron Loup, Angels
46. Mark Melancon, Diamondbacks
47. Lou Trivino, Athletics
48. Pete Fairbanks, Rays
49. James Karinchak, Guardians
50. Alex Colome, Rockies
51. Kyle Finnegan, Nationals
52. Aaron Ashby, Brewers
53. Drew Steckenrider, Mariners
54. Brad Boxberger, Brewers
55. Anthony Bass, Marlins
56. Adam Ottavino, Mets
57. Josh Staumont, Royals
58. Bryan Shaw, Guardians
59. Ian Kennedy, Diamondbacks
60. David Bednar, Pirates
61. Ken Giles, Mariners
62. Art Warren, Reds
63. Amir Garrett, Royals
64. Craig Stammen, Padres
65. Jeffrey Springs, Rays
66. Matt Wisler, Rays
67. Michael Fulmer, Tigers
68. Domingo Acevedo, Athletics
69. Sean Doolittle, Nationals
70. J.P. Feyereisen, Rays
71. David Robertson, Cubs
72. Dinelson Lamet, Padres
73. Rowan Wick, Cubs
74. Mychal Givens, Cubs
75. Cole Sulser, Orioles
76. Tanner Scott, Orioles
77. Jeurys Familia, Phillies

HEADING HOME

The gimmicks being tried out by MLB are never ending. In their latest stunt to bring more action to the game, MLB will be experimenting with moving second base forward 13.5 inches (toward the mound). The ridiculous change will take place in the second half of the season, most likely in one or more minor leagues.

I guess the goal of moving second base closer to the pitcher is to get more stolen bases and even more doubles. But won't the catcher's throws to second get there sooner? So, maybe the goal is really to get more doubles into games.

The proposal to replace baseball caps with clown hats has not yet been approved. 

Jacob deGrom fantasy managers knew there was risk involved in drafting or paying the auction price for the Mets starter. Now, these managers biggest nightmares have materialized. deGrom has a "stress reaction" in his right (pitching) shoulder, his scapula, to be precise. Good luck with that.

As my readers and followers have known for quite some time, I am, always very worried about a pitcher with ANY type of barking in his shoulder, elbow or forearm. They are all connected. If the shoulder hurts, it could be the elbow next. And on and on down the chain it goes. I had deGrom as my highest-ranked pitcher last week. Of course, that would assume good health. It didn't happen. I don't see deGrom coming back any sooner than seven weeks. Truth be told, we may not see him until after the All Star break. Or not at all.

One of the best trades of the offseason sent reliever Craig Kimbrel from the Cubs to the Dodgers for outfielder AJ Pollock. Few trades are as beneficial to both teams as that one. The Dodgers needed a true closer to replace Kenley Jansen. They got him in Kimbrel. The White Sox needed a solid, everyday outfielder to avoid a platoon. They got him in Pollock. Both teams train in the same Glendale complex, so the players just had to walk to the other side of the field to join their new teams. 

Barking arms: Ken Giles (Mariners) and Wade Miley (Cubs) are not going to start the season with their respective teams. There will be more. Stay tuned. Partial blame can be placed on the shortened spring training. It would have been much wiser to start the season on April 15 or even later, keeping spring training a traditional length. Teams could have played seven-inning double-headers to get the full season under their belts. But ownership wouldn't hear of it. Now, we'll see a parade of players heading to the DL.

I got to watch grey beards Madison Bumgarner and Zack Greinke both pitch this past week. They both looked great. 

I have concerns about Nelson Cruz catching up with fastballs. That's why I have ranked him fairly low for a guy with his track record. But his new home park and weak lineup won't help him. And I think his bat speed is…well, it needs a jolt. He'll hit homers. But I don't see 30 of them coming.

At some point in the coming years, MLB will again be faced with another massive performance enhancing drug use scandal. The masking chemicals being used are far ahead of any MLB enforcement and the "testing" the league conducts. I have heard person after person whom I trust tell me that enhancement drug use is widespread among MLB players. In the past, Commissioner Selig closed his eyes to it. So did every MLB owner and general manager. I don't know when it will blow up, but some whistle blower out there will bring heart palpitations to the game of baseball.

Aaron Judge won't be able to play games in Toronto because he isn't vaccinated. Isn't that just a wee bit selfish on his part? What am I missing here? Media have to be vaccinated to enter a clubhouse. That's to protect the players. Why shouldn't MLB require players to be vaccinated to play? 

Which baseball will MLB be using this season? Juiced up? Toned down? Neutral? MLB owns the baseball manufacturing factory. They tinker with the baseball all the time. We'll know pretty soon in the new season if they messed with the baseball again. There will be people tearing those baseballs apart and comparing them with those used last season.

I always enjoy reading the comments you write. I do my best to respond to each of them.

Thanks for following me on twitter @BerniePleskoff and for reading my columns at forbes.com.

Have a great week. The season is about to begin.