This is about the guys you forgot existed or hopefully most guys in your league are not looking for. The goal is to snipe these guys on the waiver wire or late in your draft. In dynasty formats, it is crucial to find the value guys late after all the big-name prospects are taken. Your dynasty farm system can help you in many ways with trades and mid-season call-ups. Hopefully this helps you find some gems where people are not looking. Keep in mind ALL these players are looking at call-ups this year…
Coming in first, which seems right because he profiles as a leadoff hitter, Luis Rengifo. If your question is, “what the hell is a Rengifo?”, I would not be surprised. The value here is in two categories OBP and steals. He does not have crazy elite speed, but has great base running instincts. He stole 41 bases in 2018 season from High A to Triple A. Rengifo slashed .299/.399/.452, which was also accompanied with a BB walk and K rate at 12.7%. Rengifo is currently waiting for his chance and with a strong spring could push David Fletcher out of a job. When he is called, the elite approach paired with his base running skills should have him stick with the club the rest of the season.
Austin Lisiti is 25 years old and was probably ready for the big leagues last year. The Phils seem to be taking it slow with him and now with the rumors swirling around Bryce Harper it may be even slower. He seems to be buried behind about five guys and one other prospect, Adam Haseley. Listi has an advanced approach, which led to a .312/.412/.502 with 18 dingers. His K rate sits at 18.7% and a walk rate at 12.2%. These numbers indicate he does not go up and look to hit a home-run every time, but rather a pure hitter looking to put the ball in play. He flashes a 55-60 hit tool with 45-50 power. Look for Lisiti to have a chance to play sometime mid-summer.
Oscar Mercado has transitioned from shortstop to center field and it looks like it is going to work. He has 25-30 steal speed once he is called up and his .349 OBP shows he can get on base. Mercado has a slim chance to go 20-20, but 15-25 seems more likely. The BB rate is at 9% and his K rate 15.9%. The Indians lost Michael Brantley and currently have Bradley Zimmer, Greg Allen, Tyler Naquin and Leonys Martin battling for starting jobs. Mercado should be up early in the season to provide fantasy value the rest of the way. Mercado once called up will take someone’s job.
Kevin Cron is on the list on basically just opportunity. Power runs in the family, as CJ Cron just hit 30 dingers and Kevin could be in the big leagues doing the same. With the departure of Paul Goldschmidt, a giant hole has been opened at 1st base. Jake Lamb is currently listed as the Diamondbacks 1st basemen, but he cannot hit lefties, at all, like AT ALL. Cron bats right and could start out as a platoon guy. Over the last four seasons his home-run totals have been consistent; 27, 26, 25 and 22. His slugging percentage in 2018 against lefties was .598, so he would be the perfect platoon option for Lamb to start the season. There is some strike out risk, his K rate sat at 22.8%, but that did not stop him slashing .309/.368./.554. With a strong spring, he could push for playing time early in the season.
