Mark Payton, OF
Mark Payton is not a name known to many. He has not been a first-round pick or a top prospect. In fact, he has been in the minor leagues for seven seasons with only 36 plate appearances happening on the major league level. With those 36 plate appearances, Payton has not accomplished much.
In 2019, Payton raked at the Triple-A level with a slash line of .334/.400/1.053 coming in the Pacific Coast League. The PCL has been known to be a hitters league but with a slash line like that and 30 home runs, while showing average control of the strike zone (76K/45BB), Payton is worth taking a flier on for a team that has consistently struggled to find solid help in the outfield.
Currently, Payton is at Triple-A Louisville hitting .283/.353/.766 across 51 plate appearances. Payton can play both center field and left field which the Phillies need. Payton was a Rule 5 Draft Pick in 2019 of the Reds but has yet to find his footing on their major league roster with multiple trips back and forth from Triple-A across the last few seasons.
Payton is a potential fourth outfielder for the Phillies who can fill in and will not cost much for the Phillies to take a flier on.