Last week I looked at some players who are more or less widely available and could be useful to rebuilding teams in keepers and dynasties. All of these players are available in the majority of leagues in both the CBS and Fantrax formats, which cater to dynasty players. There’s obviously some risk attached to all of them, but I chose to focus mainly on players who are already in the majors or the upper levels of the minors…the reason being you don’t want to get stuck in a rebuild forever by missing on guys who are four-plus years away. I was able to get my hands on these names in 12, 16, and some even in 20-team formats. They’re not necessarily superstars, but rather interesting pieces given the option to keep them heading into next year. Grabbing them now in free agency can save you the headache of chasing them down in the spring once everyone’s “sleepers” etc. are announced.
Derek Dietrich, 3B/OF | Marlins | CBS 17% Fantrax 26%
Dietrich is the least sexy name on this list, but his ownership numbers are the highest thanks to semi-consistent playing time. He’s now sporting a .272/.374/.519 line with nine homers and ten doubles in just 187 plate appearances. That’s decent power given the price and at 26 years old he’s got some good years ahead of him. This year Dietrich is carrying 2B/3B/OF eligibility, although he’ll likely lose 2B heading into 2016 and get bumped from the outfield once the Marlins return to the Yelich/Ozuna/Stanton trio. Prado at third isn’t exactly a major roadblock however, and I’m interested to see what Dietrich can do if he continues to play regularly against right-handers next year.
Orlando Arcia, SS | Brewers | CBS 9% Fantrax 23%
Arcia was always a nice prospect, but he’s showing that he’s more than a glove this year. In 116 games at Double-A, the 21-year-old is batting .301/.340/.448 with eight homers. Power is never going to be a big part of his game like his older brother Oswaldo, but there’s enough there to get to double digits. Like Francisco Lindor, pairing that kind of power with good speed, a high average, and pretty much a guaranteed spot at shortstop makes the whole package quite appealing. I would guess he’s gone in most of the leagues that have farms, but in keepers it’s not a bad idea to stash him on an MLB roster either. He could get a real crack at the starting gig next spring, especially if the Brewers move Segura to another position or even trade him.
Domingo Santana, OF | Brewers | CBS 10% Fantrax 22%
One of Grey’s favorites, Santana tore it up in Triple-A this year – hitting .320/.426/.582 with 16 homers. Power is the carrying tool and it’s easy plus…making 25 homers or more a real possibility. Strikeouts have always been the fly in the ointment though, and those gaudy numbers in AAA came with a 28% strikeout rate (the same number he posted each of the previous three seasons as well). If he can hit enough to play everyday, the power will be a fantasy asset, especially in Milwaukee’s park. Santana profiles more as a corner outfielder, so it will be interesting to see what the Brewers decide to do with him and Khris Davis once Brett Phillips is ready.
Trevor Story, SS | Rockies | CBS 8% Fantrax 21%
There’s a lot to love here. Story has played well at Triple-A and when you combine his numbers there with his start at Double-A, he’s hit 18 dingers and stolen 21 bases. That kind of power/speed combination is tasty in fantasy, especially when you sprinkle in 81 of his games at Coors Field. Jose Reyes is about all that stands in his way at this point, although I’d think the Rockies would try to move the 32-year-old Reyes and his big contract this offseason. That would open the door for Story and give him a long look out of spring training. Definitely a good name to peep now in keepers.
Ketel Marte, SS/OF | Mariners | CBS 9% Fantrax 20%
More of a hit/speed guy than even Arcia, Marte has held his own since being recalled by the Mariners. Primarily a shortstop, the 21-year-old can also play some center in a pinch – making him valuable in both real life and fantasy. He’s always been kind of overlooked as a prospect and the Seattle bats often get devalued in fantasy, so this is a player you can probably get on the cheap even though he’s already in the majors. Marte’s a switch-hitter, and if he can carve out a role at the top of the Mariner lineup every night it will boost his value heading into next season. There’s next to no power here, but that’s not really his profile…he’s going to contribute runs, average, and steals.
Alen Hanson, MI | Pirates | CBS 5% Fantrax 19%
Hanson is similar to Story in that he offers a combination of power and speed from the middle infield. He doesn’t get the home park boost, but Hanson is just as close to contributing at the major league level. Another guy who’s always been a little more under the radar than he deserves, Hanson is batting .265 with six homers and 31 steals as a 22-year-old at Triple-A. Jung-ho Kang is solidifying himself at shortstop and Neil Walker still has another year of arbitration before free agency, but Hanson has also taken some reps at third base. My guess is he’ll be ready to take over at the keystone at some point in 2016. For more on Hanson, I profiled him earlier this year.
Brandon Drury, 2B/3B | Diamondbacks | CBS 3% Fantrax 12%
With Yasmany Tomas and John Lamb handling things at third base, Drury has played about half his Triple-A games at second base this year and he’s even played a few at shortstop. Drury hasn’t shown much over-the-fence power yet, but he’s still hitting .336/.390/.466 with 23 doubles in 56 games for Reno. Just 23 years old, I think Drury could grow into some home run power (he’s got above-average raw) especially in Arizona. I’m intrigued by the potential for 2B/3B eligibility heading into next season and I don’t see a 33-year-old Aaron Hill as a major roadblock going into the final year of his contract.
