MLB Highest-Paid Designated Hitters – Salaries Ranking for 2022 Season

The 2022 Major League Baseball (MLB) season is well underway, with the All-Star break in Los Angeles now in the past and the home stretch to the postseason upon us. Even with a shortened offseason due to the lockout, the MLB salaries rankings are as wealthy as they’ve ever been, with positional players’ salaries approaching that of starting ace pitchers. 

Now available in both leagues, MLB’s designated hitter (DH) is as coveted as it’s ever been, and salaries are responding accordingly. Let’s take a closer look at the list of MLB’s highest paid DHs or 2022. 

Who are the Highest-Paid MLB DHs in 2022?

On pace to earn just under $400 million in his MLB career on the field alone, the Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera sits atop our list earning $32 million this season. We next move to the $25+ million range as former Nationals slugger Bryce Harper is slated to earn $27.5 million this season, now with the Phillies.

Moving down, we head back to the American League for another DH on the older side in the Yankees’ Josh Donaldson, who is set to earn $23 million in 2022. Recently traded from the Twins, Donaldson signed a four-year deal in 2020 worth $92 million that the Bronx Bombers are now on the hook for. 

Next on our list is Rockies’ DH/outfielder Charlie Blackmon, who enters this season exercising a $21 million player option.

J.D. Martinez falls just shy of the $20 million dollar mark as the Red Sox DH, and Braves DH Marcell Ozuna is next on our list coming in at $16 million, signing a four-year deal in 2021 worth $65 million.

Tied with Ozuna is Reds slugger Mike Moustakas, who is set to earn $16 million this season after signing a four-year deal in 2019 worth $65 million. 

No. 8 on our highest paid MLB DH list in 2022 is the Dodgers’ Max Muncy, who signed a three-year deal in 2020 worth $26 million. 

The oldest player on this list comes in at No. 9, as Nelson Cruz of the Nationals just turned 42 and recently signed a one-year deal with the club worth $12 million – all guaranteed. 

We now drop to $10.65 million for the youngest player on our list in Teoscar Hernández of the Blue Jays, who also signed a one-year deal signed this offseason to avoid arbitration. With a big 2022 season, Hernandez is setting himself up well for a big paycheck to come in 2023, be it from Toronto or elsewhere. 

Highest Paid MLB DHs Rankings