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Hunter Renfroe

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For the American football player, see Hunter Renfrow.

Hunter Renfroe
Renfroe with the San Diego Padres in 2018
Kansas City Royals – No. 16
Outfielder
Born: (1992-01-28) January 28, 1992 (age 32)
Crystal Springs, Mississippi, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 21, 2016, for the San Diego Padres
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.238
Hits790
Home runs192
Runs batted in506
Teams

Dustin Hunter Renfroe (born January 28, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels and Cincinnati Reds.

Renfroe received a scholarship to Mississippi State University, where he played college baseball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Padres selected Renfroe in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2016, was traded to the Rays before the 2020 season, signed with the Red Sox before the 2021 season, was traded to the Brewers after the 2021 season and was then traded to the Angels after the 2022 season. He was claimed by the Reds from the Angels on waivers. He was released by the Reds after the 2023 season. He was then acquired by the Royals prior to the start of the 2024 season.

Early life

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Hunter Renfroe was born and raised in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, to parents Todd and Tammy. He attended Copiah Academy in Gallman, Mississippi, where he played for the school's baseball team.[1]

Career

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Amateur career

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The Boston Red Sox selected Renfroe in the 31st round of the 2010 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, but he did not sign. He enrolled at Mississippi State University, where he played college baseball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.[2] On April 15, 2013, he was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week.[3] He was also named to the Golden Spikes Award watchlist[4] and was the 2013 recipient of the C Spire Ferriss Trophy, given to the best college baseball player in Mississippi.[5] From 2011 to 2012, Renfroe played for the Bethesda Big Train of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, where he broke the Big Train record for most runs, home runs, runs batted in, slugging percentage, and total bases in a season in 2012.[6] Renfroe's number "11" was retired by the Big Train in 2012.

San Diego Padres

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Renfroe was considered among the best prospects available in the 2013 MLB draft.[7] The San Diego Padres selected Renfroe in the first round, with the 13th overall selection.[8] Renfroe agreed to a $2.678 million signing bonus[9] and began his professional career with the Eugene Emeralds of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League.[10] After participating in the Northwest League's all-star game and registering the game-winning hit, the Padres promoted him to the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Class A Midwest League in August.[11]

Renfroe with the Lake Elsinore Storm in 2014

Renfroe began the 2014 season with the Lake Elsinore Storm of the Class A-Advanced California League.[12] In 69 games for Lake Elsinore, Renfroe had a .295 batting average, 16 home runs, and 52 runs batted in (RBIs). He was promoted to the San Antonio Missions of the Class AA Texas League during the season.[13] Renfroe played in the 2014 All-Star Futures Game.[14] After the season, the Padres assigned Renfroe to the Arizona Fall League to continue his development.[15] Renfroe began the 2015 season with San Antonio and received a promotion in August to the El Paso Chihuahuas of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.[16] He played in 21 games for El Paso.[17] For the season, Renfroe had a .272 average with 20 home runs and 78 RBIs, including a .333 average and six home runs with 24 RBIs with El Paso.[18]

The Padres invited Renfroe to spring training in 2016.[17] He opened the 2016 season with El Paso.[19][20] He won the 2016 Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player Award.[21] Following the 2016 Triple-A Baseball National Championship Game, the Padres promoted Renfroe to the major leagues on September 21.[22] He made his first plate appearance as a pinch hitter that same night, getting intentionally walked by Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Edwin Escobar.[23] He batted .371 in 11 games for San Diego.[24]

Renfroe made the Padres' Opening Day roster in 2017 as the starting right fielder.[25] On August 19, Renfroe was optioned to El Paso due to his declining performance in reaching base.[26] He was recalled to the majors on September 18 after the end of the Triple-A season.[27] Renfroe finished the 2017 season with a batting line of .231/.284/.467 and 26 home runs with 117 starts in right field. Renfroe began the 2018 season primarily starting only against left-handed pitching, but picked up more starts after Wil Myers got injured. He led the Padres in home runs in 2018 with 26.

Tampa Bay Rays

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On December 6, 2019, Renfroe, Xavier Edwards, and a player to be named later (PTBNL) were traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Tommy Pham and Jake Cronenworth.[28] The PTBNL, Esteban Quiroz, was named in March 2020.[29] In a shortened 2020 season, Renfroe slashed .156/.252/.393 with eight home runs and 22 RBIs over 42 games. On November 20, 2020, Renfroe was designated for assignment.[30] On November 25, 2020, Renfroe became a free agent.[31]

Boston Red Sox

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On December 14, 2020, Renfroe signed a one-year, $3.1 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.[32] He began the season as a regular member of Boston's outfield. Renfroe was placed on the bereavement list on August 26,[33] due to the death of his father.[34] He returned to the Red Sox on August 31.[35] For the season, Renfroe played in 144 games while batting .259 with 31 home runs and 96 RBIs.[36] He also played in 11 postseason games, batting 7-for-36 (.194) as the Red Sox advanced to the American League Championship Series.[36]

Milwaukee Brewers

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On December 1, 2021, the Red Sox traded Renfroe to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Jackie Bradley Jr., David Hamilton, and Alex Binelas.[37] During the 2022 season, Renfroe slashed .255/.315/.492 with 29 home runs and 72 RBI's on 522 plate appearances in his one season in Milwaukee. [38]

Los Angeles Angels

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On November 22, 2022, the Brewers traded Renfroe to the Los Angeles Angels for Janson Junk, Elvis Peguero, and Adam Seminaris.[39] On February 18, 2023, Renfroe won his salary arbitration case against the Angels, making his salary $11.9 million for the season rather than the team offer of $11.25 million.[40] In 126 games for the Angels, he batted .242/.304/.434 with 19 home runs and 56 RBI. On August 29, Renfroe was placed on waivers by the Angels.[41]

Cincinnati Reds

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On August 31, 2023, Renfroe was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds.[42] He was designated for assignment by the Reds on September 18 after posting a slash line of .128/.227/.205 in 14 games.[43] Renfroe was released by Cincinnati on September 21.[44]

Kansas City Royals

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On December 15, 2023, Renfroe signed a one-year $5.5 million contract with the Kansas City Royals, which also included a $7.5 million player option for the 2025 season.[45]

Renfroe had a very up-and-down 2024 campaign with the Royals. On June 11, 2024, he was placed on the 10-day injured list with a broken left big toe after fouling a ball of his foot, and was later reinstated on June 21.[46][47] He was later added back to the IL on August 25 due to a right hamstring strain, before getting activated on September 5 for the team's playoff push.[48][49] On October 31, he triggered a player option for 2025 with the Royals.[50]

Personal life

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Renfroe married Courtney Beach on December 5, 2015, in their hometown of Crystal Springs.[16][51] Renfroe is a Christian.[52]

References

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  1. ^ "HR = Hunter Renfroe = home runs". The Clarion Ledger. April 22, 2010. Retrieved May 15, 2013.[dead link] (subscription required)
  2. ^ "Copiah County Courier, CA's Hunter Renfroe has risen to the top for MSU Bulldogs". Copiahcountycourier.com. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  3. ^ Mississippi (April 16, 2013). "Baseball: Mississippi State's Hunter Renfroe named SEC Player of the Week | gulflive.com". Blog.gulflive.com. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  4. ^ Bonner, Michael (May 2, 2013). "Hunter Renfroe named to Golden Spikes midseason watch list | Mississippi State sports". Blogs.clarionledger.com. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  5. ^ "Copiah County Courier, 5–14 Renfroe named Ferriss finalist". Copiahcountycourier.com. Retrieved May 15, 2013. [permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Bethesda Big Train Records". Bigtrain.org. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  7. ^ Talty, John (April 18, 2013). "Money Man: MLB prospect Renfroe has been Mississippi State's top producer". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  8. ^ "Padres pick college slugger in Round 1 | padres.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. June 6, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  9. ^ Perry, Dayn. "Padres sign first-round pick Hunter Renfroe". CBSSports.com. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  10. ^ Jeff Roper (July 16, 2013). "Hunter Renfroe Eugene Emeralds". Djournal.com. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  11. ^ Jeff Roper (August 7, 2013). "Hunter Renfroe headed to Fort Wayne". Djournal.com. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  12. ^ Landon Negri. "BASEBALL: Lake Elsinore Storm release roster | Sports Southern California". PE.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  13. ^ "Missions' Hunter Renfroe a natural on the field — and in the outdoors". San Antonio Express-News. July 21, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  14. ^ "Renfroe, Guerrero get wide-eyed at Futures Game". MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  15. ^ "Turner, Renfroe highlight AFL selections". U-T San Diego. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  16. ^ a b Heneghan, Kelsie (August 20, 2015). "Renfroe blasts off in Triple-A debut: Padres top prospect collects three hits, including homer, four RBIs". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  17. ^ a b Lin, Dennis (February 17, 2016). "Renfroe, Schumaker among Padres' non-roster invitees: Padres invite 19 to major league spring training". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  18. ^ Bonner, Michael (February 11, 2016). "Renfroe eager to emerge from crowded Padres outfield". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  19. ^ "Renfroe, Chihuahuas go boom-boom-boom". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  20. ^ foxsports (May 3, 2016). "Prospect Hunter Renfroe continues to put up numbers". FOX Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  21. ^ "Chihuahuas' Renfroe awarded Most Valuable Player". MILB.com. September 1, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  22. ^ Cassavell, AJ (September 21, 2016). "Padres to add several prospects to roster". MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  23. ^ AP 1:29 a.m. ET September 22, 2016 (September 22, 2016). "Padres' Renfroe intentionally walked in major league debut". Usatoday.com. Retrieved May 19, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ "Padres roster review: Hunter Renfroe". The San Diego Union-Tribune. February 13, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  25. ^ "Padres set opening-day roster, option Cory Spangenberg to El Paso". The San Diego Union-Tribune. April 1, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  26. ^ Lin, Dennis (August 19, 2017). "Padres option struggling Hunter Renfroe to El Paso". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  27. ^ Sanders, Jeff (September 18, 2017). "Renfroe, Jankowski return with Padres' final call-ups". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  28. ^ "Padres Acquire OF Tommy Pham and INF/RHP Jake Cronenworth From Tampa Bay Rays". MLB.com. December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  29. ^ Topkin, Marc (March 26, 2020). "Rays get Esteban Quiroz to complete deal with Padres". Tampabay.com. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  30. ^ Adams, Steve; Franco, Anthony (November 20, 2020). "Rays Designate Hunter Renfroe For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com.
  31. ^ "Hunter Renfroe, Brian O'Grady Become Free Agents". MLB Trade Rumors. November 25, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  32. ^ "Red Sox sign ex-Rays OF Renfroe to 1-year deal". ESPN.com. December 14, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  33. ^ "Red Sox's Hunter Renfroe: Goes on bereavement leave". CBS Sports. August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  34. ^ Browne, Ian (August 29, 2021). "Renfroe mourns loss of dad -- his 'best friend'". MLB.com. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  35. ^ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. August 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  36. ^ a b "Hunter Renfroe Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  37. ^ "Boston Red Sox send Hunter Renfroe to Milwaukee Brewers for Jackie Bradley Jr., two prospects". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 2, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  38. ^ "Hunter Renfroe Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  39. ^ "Busy Angels bring on Renfroe in Brewers trade". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 23, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  40. ^ Hampton, Simon (February 18, 2023). "Angels Win Arbitration Case Against Gio Urshela, Lose Against Hunter Renfroe". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  41. ^ "Reds claim Harrison Bader, Hunter Renfroe off waivers". espn.com. August 31, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  42. ^ "Reds claim OFs Bader, Renfroe off waivers". mlb.com. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  43. ^ "Cincinnati Reds DFA Slumping Hunter Renfroe as Players Return From COVID List". si.com. September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  44. ^ "Cincinnati Reds release Hunter Renfroe". redlegnation.com. September 21, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  45. ^ "Royals add big run producer in Renfroe, but aren't done yet". MLB.com.
  46. ^ "Royals' Hunter Renfroe: Moved to 10-day IL". CBSSports.com. June 11, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  47. ^ "Royals' Hunter Renfroe: Returns from injured list". CBSSports.com. June 21, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  48. ^ "Royals' Hunter Renfroe: Lands on injured list". CBSSports.com. August 25, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  49. ^ "Kansas City Royals Roster Moves: Hunter Renfroe, Steven Cruz and MORE!". thereportonsports.com. September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  50. ^ "Hunter Renfroe, Chris Stratton Exercise Player Options". MLB Trade Rumors. October 31, 2024.
  51. ^ "Miss Beach and Renfroe planning December 5 service". North Side Sun. October 27, 2015. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  52. ^ Roche, Conor (August 29, 2021). "Hunter Renfroe remembers late father, who passed away Thursday". Boston.com. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
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