| Hunter Renfroe | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Renfroe with theSan Diego Padres in 2018 | |
| Kansas City Royals – No. 16 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (1992-01-28)January 28, 1992 (age 33) 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 |
| Hits | 790 |
| Home runs | 192 |
| Runs batted in | 506 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Dustin Hunter Renfroe (born January 28, 1992) is an American professionalbaseballoutfielder for theKansas City Royals ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theSan Diego Padres,Tampa Bay Rays,Boston Red Sox,Milwaukee Brewers,Los Angeles Angels andCincinnati Reds.
Renfroe received a scholarship toMississippi State University, where he playedcollege baseball for theMississippi State Bulldogs. The Padres selected Renfroe in the first round of the2013 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.
Hunter Renfroe was born and raised inCrystal Springs, Mississippi, to parents Todd and Tammy. He attendedCopiah Academy inGallman, Mississippi, where he played for the school's baseball team.[1]
TheBoston Red Sox selected Renfroe in the 31st round of the2010 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, but he did not sign. He enrolled atMississippi State University, where he playedcollege baseball for theMississippi State Bulldogs.[2] On April 15, 2013, he was named theSoutheastern Conference Player of the Week.[3] He was also named to theGolden Spikes Award watchlist[4] and was the 2013 recipient of theC Spire Ferriss Trophy, given to the best college baseball player in Mississippi.[5] From 2011 to 2012, Renfroe played for theBethesda Big Train of theCal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, where he broke the Big Train record for mostruns,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.
Renfroe was considered among the best prospects available in the2013 MLB draft.[7] TheSan Diego Padres selected Renfroe in the first round, with the 13th overall selection.[8] Renfroe agreed to a $2.678 millionsigning bonus[9] and began his professional career with theEugene Emeralds of theClass A-Short SeasonNorthwest League.[10] After participating in the Northwest League'sall-star game and registering the game-winning hit, the Padres promoted him to theFort Wayne TinCaps of theClass AMidwest League in August.[11]
Renfroe began the 2014 season with theLake Elsinore Storm of theClass A-AdvancedCalifornia League.[12] In 69 games for Lake Elsinore, Renfroe had a .295batting average, 16home runs, and 52runs batted in (RBIs). He was promoted to theSan Antonio Missions of theClass AATexas League during the season.[13] Renfroe played in the 2014All-Star Futures Game.[14] After the season, the Padres assigned Renfroe to theArizona Fall League to continue his development.[15] Renfroe began the 2015 season with San Antonio and received a promotion in August to theEl Paso Chihuahuas of theClass AAAPacific 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 tospring training in 2016.[17] He opened the 2016 season with El Paso.[19][20] He won the 2016Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player Award.[21] Following the 2016Triple-A Baseball National Championship Game, the Padres promoted Renfroe to the major leagues on September 21.[22] He made his first plate appearance as apinch hitter that same night, getting intentionally walked byArizona Diamondbacks relieverEdwin 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 afterWil Myers got injured. He led the Padres in home runs in 2018 with 26.
On December 6, 2019, Renfroe,Xavier Edwards, and aplayer to be named later (PTBNL) were traded to theTampa Bay Rays in exchange forTommy Pham andJake 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 wasdesignated for assignment.[30] On November 25, 2020, Renfroe became a free agent.[31]
On December 14, 2020, Renfroe signed a one-year, $3.1 million contract with theBoston 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 theAmerican League Championship Series.[36]
On December 1, 2021, the Red Sox traded Renfroe to theMilwaukee Brewers in exchange forJackie Bradley Jr.,David Hamilton, andAlex Binelas.[37] During the 2022 season, Renfroe slashed .255/.315/.492 with 29 home runs and 72 RBI's on 522plate appearances in his one season in Milwaukee.[36]
On November 22, 2022, the Brewers traded Renfroe to theLos Angeles Angels forJanson Junk,Elvis Peguero, andAdam Seminaris.[38] On February 18, 2023, Renfroe won hissalary arbitration case against the Angels, making his salary $11.9 million for the season rather than the team offer of $11.25 million.[39] 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.[40]
On August 31, 2023, Renfroe was claimed off waivers by theCincinnati Reds.[41] He wasdesignated for assignment by the Reds on September 18 after posting a slash line of .128/.227/.205 in 14 games.[42] Renfroe was released by Cincinnati on September 21.[43]
On December 15, 2023, Renfroe signed a one-year $5.5 million contract with theKansas City Royals, which also included a $7.5 million player option for the 2025 season.[44]
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.[45][46] 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.[47][48] On October 31, he triggered a player option for 2025 with the Royals.[49]
Renfroe married Courtney Beach on December 5, 2015, in their hometown of Crystal Springs.[16][50] Renfroe is aChristian.[51]
