Rankings for First Basemen and Designated Hitters as of June 1st

In the June edition of my rest-of-season position rankings and overall top 300 for 5×5 leagues, I am a couple of days late in finding a new No. 1 overall player. There are currently only about 120 players in the majors capable of hitting right now, with many of the best pitchers dealing with injuries. Be sure to listen to the Rotoworld Baseball Show for the latest player news, waiver claims, roster advice, and more from our experts all season long. You can click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

In the first baseman and designated hitter ROS rankings, some players have dropped off the list, including Matt Mervis, Tyler Nevin, Wilmer Flores, and Ryan Noda. Michael Busch was a bit of a dilemma as his batted-ball numbers are improving, but the Cubs have benched him against both righties and lefties recently. With Pete Crow-Armstrong back in the majors, Busch’s playing time is uncertain. However, his low strikeout rate and impressive steal numbers make him stand out among other first basemen.

Spencer Torkelson had a strong finish last season, which earned him an extended stay in the majors this year. However, his recent demotion to Triple-A was long overdue, given his struggles at the plate and below-average defensive skills. While Torkelson may have better numbers playing in a different ballpark, he still needs more time to refine his game before getting another chance in the majors. Despite the Tigers’ hopes for his success, it will likely take more than a few weeks in the minors for Torkelson to earn another opportunity.