The Yankees selected Refsnyder in the fifth round of the2012 MLB draft. He began playing second base and became one of the Yankees' topprospects. He made his MLB debut with the Yankees in 2015. During his major league career, Refsnyder has played all three outfield positions and has played every infield position except shortstop.[1]
Refsnyder was born Kim Jung-tae inSeoul, South Korea. When he was five months old, he wasadopted by Jane and Clint Refsnyder, a couple of German and Irish descent fromLaguna Hills, California, throughHolt International Children's Services.[2][3][4] Three years before the Refsnyders adopted Rob, they had adopted a girl, Elizabeth, also from South Korea.[5]
Refsnyder began the 2014 season with theTrenton Thunder of theDouble–AEastern League.[24] With the help ofMarcus Thames, the Thunder'shitting coach, Refsnyder made changes to his swing that increased his power output.[25][26] He won the Eastern League Player of the Week Award for the week of May 26 – June 1.[27] After batting .342 with six home runs in 60 games for Trenton,[28] Refsnyder was promoted to theScranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of theTriple–AInternational League on June 10.[29] Refsnyder finished the season with a .300 average, eight home runs, and 33 RBI in 77 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.[30] Playing second base, he was one of the Yankees' top prospects.[31]
The Yankees gave Refsnyder an opportunity to compete for a spot with the major league team in 2015,[2] but assigned him to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start the season so that he could continue to work on his defense.[32] The Yankees promoted Refsnyder to the major league club on July 11.[33] With his callup, Refsnyder became the fourth position player in MLB history to be born in South Korea, followingHee-seop Choi,Shin-Soo Choo, andJung-ho Kang.[34] He made his major league debut that day and recorded his first two major league hits--including a two-run home run--on July 12.[35] After Refsnyder played four games, the Yankeesoptioned him to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.[36] The Yankees promoted Refsnyder to the majors once again on September 1, 2015, as part of theirSeptember call-ups.[37] Refsnyder finished the regular season with a .302 average and two home runs in the major league, where he played second base. He started for the Yankees in the2015 American League Wild Card Game, which they lost.[38]
Refsnyder with the Yankees in 2015
In 2016, Refsnyder competed withRonald Torreyes for autility infielder role with the Yankees. The Yankees chose Torreyes[39] and optioned Refsnyder to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on March 27.[40] The Yankees promoted him to the major leagues on May 17.[41] Following injuries tofirst basemanMark Teixeira andDustin Ackley, the Yankees began to play Refsnyder at first base.[42] He batted .262 in 122at bats before he was optioned back to the RailRiders on August 11.[43] He was again promoted to the major leagues as a September call-up.[44] Refsnynder finished the 2016 season with a .250 average in 58 major league games.[45]
On July 23, 2017, the Yankees traded Refsnyder to theToronto Blue Jays forRyan McBroom. The Blue Jays assigned Refsnyder to theBuffalo Bisons of the International League.[49] The Blue Jays promoted Refsnyder to the major leagues on July 29 to provide infield depth.[50] Refsnyder received playing time with Toronto as a second baseman,[51] batting .196 in 32 games in the majors in 2017.[52]
After theCleveland Indians claimed Refsnyder off ofwaivers on November 20, 2017,[52] theTampa Bay Rays acquired him from the Indians in exchange for cash considerations on March 27, 2018.[53]
The Rays included Refsnyder on their Opening Day roster, and he batted ninth in thebatting order as thedesignated hitter.[54] Primarily playing against left-handed pitchers, Refsnyder batted .167 in 40 games before the Rays designated him for assignment on June 19.[55] Refsnyder cleared waivers and was sent outright to theDurham Bulls of the International League.[56] Refsnyder batted .283 in 51 games for Durham.[57] Durham won the International League championship, and Refsnyder was named the postseason's most valuable player,[58] as he batted .367 with two home runs and six RBI in the postseason.[57] Refsnyder elected free agency following the season.[59]
Refsnyder signed a minor-league contract with theArizona Diamondbacks for the 2019 season on November 20, 2018.[60] The Diamondbacks assigned him to theReno Aces of the Triple–APacific Coast League to start the 2019 season. He played one game for Reno, going 0-for-4 with one strikeout.[61]
On April 7, 2019, the Diamondbacks traded Refsnyder to theCincinnati Reds in exchange for aplayer to be named later or cash considerations. The Reds assigned him to theLouisville Bats of the International League.[61] Refsnyder batted .315 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI in 85 games for the Bats. The Reds released him from the organization on August 26.[62]
Refsnyder signed a minor league contract with theTexas Rangers for the 2020 season on December 5, 2019.[63] He made the Rangers' Opening Day roster in 2020, which had been delayed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[64] After hitting .200/.265/.233 without a home run in 34 plate appearances for the Rangers, Refsnyder was designated for assignment on August 24.[65] He elected to become a free agent.[66]
TheMinnesota Twins signed Refsnyder to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training on December 17, 2020.[67] He began the 2021 season with theSt. Paul Saints. On May 15, the Twins selected Refsnyder to the active roster.[68] Despite the fact that he had never before played center field in the major leagues,[69] Refsnyder served as the backup center fielder toMax Kepler.
When Kepler went on the injured list, on May 30, Twins managerRocco Baldelli said that he had no choice but to "ride Refsnyder" in center field.[70] Refsnyder suffered a concussion on June 2[71] and a strained left hamstring on June 8.[72] Refsnyder finished the 2021 season with a .245 batting average, two home runs, 12 RBIs, and one stolen base in 51 major league games. On November 5, 2021, the Twins outrighted him off of the 40-man roster,[73] and he elected for free agency.[66]
Refsnyder signed a minor league contract with theBoston Red Sox on November 30, 2021.[74] After starting the season batting 14-for-35 (.400) for theWorcester Red Sox of the International League,[75] he was added to Boston's active roster on April 19.[76] Refsnyder made his debut with Boston on April 23 as the team's designated hitter.[75] Refsnyder was returned to Worcester on April 29.[77] On June 10, the Red Sox promoted Refsnyder once again.[78] He served as afourth outfielder until being placed on the injured list with a right knee sprain on August 2.[79] He rejoined the team on August 16.[80] The Red Sox placed Refsnyder on the injured list due to back spasms on October 3, ending his season with a .307 average, a .384 OBP, and six home runs in 177 plate appearances across 57 major league games.[81]
Refsnyder and the Red Sox agreed to a $1.2 million salary for the 2023 season, avoidingsalary arbitration.[82] On June 3, 2023, Refsnyder signed a one-year, $1.85 million contract extension with the Red Sox that included a club option for the 2025 season.[83] During the 2023 season, he batted .248 with one home run and 28 RBIs in 89 games.[84]
During spring training in 2024, Refsnyder fractured a toe on his left foot, delaying his availability for the regular season.[85] For the season, he appeared in 93 games and batted .283 with 11 home runs and 40 runs batted in.[86] After the season, the team exercised its $2.1 million club option to bring Refsnyder back for the 2025 season.[87]
Refsnyder is supportive of adoption.[4] He helped to design a T-shirt with Athletes Brand to raise money for A Kid's Place, an organization in theTampa Bay area that helps foster children.[89]
During the2012 College World Series, Refsnyder claimed that he regularly heard racist taunts fromSouth Carolina fans, later tweeting in response that he would never live in South Carolina "because they can't accept Asians playing baseball".[90][91]
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