Highest-paid MLB designated hitters in 2025
Giancarlo Stanton, not Shohei Ohtani, is the highest-paid designated hitter entering the 2025 major league season.
Ohtani, who agreed to a historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 2024 season, will average $70 million per year. But because of his heavily deferred deal, he will make much less than that.
Ohtani is deferring $68 million of his $70 million annual salary, lowering his present-day value to $28 million. Stanton, who hasn't played an inning yet this season with the New York Yankees because of an injury, will earn $32 million in 2025.
Ohtani is actually the 18th highest-paid player in baseball as calculated by the MLB Labor Relations Department in 2025.
C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | DH | SP | RP
Who are the highest-paid MLB designated hitter in 2025?
(In present-day value calculated by MLB)
1 - Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees − $32,000,000
2 - Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers − $28,213,523
3 - Kris Bryant, Rockies − $27,000,000
4 - Rafael Devers, Red Sox − $25,813,052
5 - Kyle Schwarber, Phillies − $20,000,000
6 - Joc Pederson, Rangers − $18,500,000
7 - Marcell Ozuna, Braves − $16,000,000
8 - Yordan Alvarez, Astros − $15,833,333
9 - Jorge Soler, Angels − $13,000,000
T-10 - Justin Turner, Cubs − $6,000,000
T-10 - Josh Bell, Nationals − $6,000,000
The figures, compiled by Paste BN, are calculated by the MLB Labor Relations Department of the present-day value of contracts including deferrals and signing bonuses.
The figures by MLB and distributed to all teams are intended to reflect the cash obligations in any given year.