Hunter Renfroe is a professional baseball player who has made a name for himself as an outfielder with a knack for hitting for power and producing runs.
Renfroe was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2013 and made his Major League debut with the team in 2016. After spending time with the Padres and the Tampa Bay Rays, Renfroe signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2022, where he had an impressive season at the plate.
In this blog post, we will explore Renfroe’s performance and evaluate how good he really is as a baseball player.
Offensive Performance
Ops+ as a Metric for Evaluating Offensive Performance
OPS+ is a widely used statistic that adjusts a player’s on-base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG) to account for ballpark and league factors.
It measures how well a player performs at the plate compared to the league average, with a score of 100 representing the league average. A score above 100 indicates that a player is better than the league average, while a score below 100 indicates that a player is below average.
Renfroe’s 126 Ops+ in the 2022 Season
In the 2022 season, Renfroe had a very impressive 126 OPS+. This means that he was 26% better than the league-average hitter, a notable accomplishment.
Renfroe’s OPS+ was driven by his .833 OPS, which is the sum of his OBP (.327) and SLG (.506).
Renfroe’s Ops+ to League-average Hitters
Renfroe’s 126 OPS+ places him among the top hitters in the league. According to Baseball Reference, only 23 qualified hitters had a higher OPS+ than Renfroe in the 2022 season.
This indicates that Renfroe is a very effective offensive player.
Renfroe’s Power and Ability to Drive in Runs
Renfroe’s power is a significant part of his offensive game. In the 2022 season, he hit 17 home runs and slugged .506, which ranked in the top third of qualified hitters.
Additionally, he drove in 69 runs, indicating that he has the ability to produce runs for his team. Renfroe’s power and run production make him a valuable asset for any team looking to bolster its offense.
Defensive Abilities
Renfroe’s Defensive Abilities in the Outfield
Renfroe is primarily an outfielder and has shown good defensive abilities in his career so far. He has played both left and right field, but his primary position is right field.
He has demonstrated good range, an ability to track down fly balls, and a strong arm, which allows him to make throws from the outfield.
Renfroe’s Range and Arm Strength
Renfroe’s range and arm strength are among his strengths as a defensive player. His range is aided by his speed and ability to cover ground in the outfield, while his arm strength allows him to make strong and accurate throws.
Renfroe has also shown good instincts in the outfield, making difficult plays look relatively easy.
Renfroe’s Defensive Metrics to Other Outfielders
Renfroe’s defensive metrics are solid, but not exceptional. In the 2022 season, he had a defensive runs saved (DRS) score of 2 in right field, which is slightly above average.
Additionally, he had an outfielder range runs (RngR) score of 1.5, which is also above average. However, Renfroe’s defensive metrics do not place him among the elite outfielders in the league.
In comparison to other outfielders, Renfroe’s defensive abilities are solid but not necessarily a standout feature. He is not known for his speed or agility in the outfield, but he compensates with a strong arm and good instincts.
Overall, Renfroe’s defensive abilities make him a reliable outfielder who is capable of making plays when needed.
Salary and Value
Renfroe’s $11 million salary for the 2023 season.
Renfroe is set to make around $11 million in the 2023 season, which is a relatively high salary for a player of his caliber. However, it is not an unreasonable salary given his offensive and defensive abilities.
In the 2022 season, Renfroe was worth 2.8 wins above replacement (WAR), according to Baseball Reference. Using a rough estimate of $8 million per WAR, Renfroe’s value in the 2022 season was around $22.4 million, which suggests that his $11 million salary is not excessive.
Renfroe’s Salary to Other Players With Similar Skills
In terms of salary, Renfroe’s $11 million is comparable to other outfielders with similar skills. For example, Max Kepler of the Minnesota Twins is set to make $6.67 million in the 2023 season, but he had a lower OPS+ (110) and WAR (1.2) than Renfroe in the 2022 season.
Similarly, Nick Castellanos of the Cincinnati Reds is set to make $16 million in the 2023 season, but he had a similar OPS+ (127) and WAR (2.9) to Renfroe in the 2022 season.
Evaluation of Renfroe’s Value to the Brewers or Other Teams
Renfroe’s value to the Brewers or other teams is significant. He is a solid offensive player with power and the ability to drive in runs, and he is a reliable defensive outfielder.
Additionally, Renfroe has shown the ability to perform well in clutch situations, making him a valuable asset in close games. Renfroe’s value to the Brewers may increase if they are able to make a playoff run in the 2023 season, as his postseason experience could be an asset.
Overall, Renfroe’s value to his team is significant, and his $11 million salary is a reasonable investment for a player of his caliber.
Hunter Renfroe’s Offensive and Defensive Statistics for the 2022 Season
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Plate Appearances | 517 |
| Batting Average | .254 |
| On-Base Percentage | .327 |
| Slugging Percentage | .506 |
| OPS | .833 |
| OPS+ | 126 |
| Home Runs | 17 |
| Runs Batted In | 69 |
| Stolen Bases | 1 |
| Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) | 2 |
| Outfielder Range Runs (RngR) | 1.5 |
| Fielding Percentage | .989 |
| Assists | 7 |
| Errors | 1 |
| Total Zone Runs (TZ) | 5 |
| Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) | 3.6 |
This table shows various offensive and defensive statistics for Hunter Renfroe during the 2022 season. It includes traditional offensive stats like batting average, home runs, and runs batted in, as well as advanced metrics like OPS+ and defensive runs saved (DRS).
The table also includes defensive statistics like assists and errors, as well as advanced defensive metrics like total zone runs (TZ) and ultimate zone rating (UZR).
By presenting this information in a table, it allows for an easy comparison of Renfroe’s performance to other players or to his performance in other seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hunter Renfroe’s batting average?
In the 2022 season, Renfroe had a batting average of .254, which was slightly below the league average of .259.
What is Hunter Renfroe’s career high for home runs in a season?
Renfroe’s career high for home runs in a single season is 33, which he achieved in 2019 with the San Diego Padres.
Has Hunter Renfroe won any awards or honors during his career?
Renfroe was a finalist for the Gold Glove Award in right field in 2019, but he did not win the award. He has not won any other major awards or honors during his career to date.
What is Hunter Renfroe’s approach at the plate?
Renfroe is known for his aggressive approach at the plate and his ability to hit for power. He is not a high on-base percentage hitter, but he is effective at driving in runs and hitting for extra bases.
What is Hunter Renfroe’s background?
Renfroe was born in Mississippi and attended Mississippi State University, where he played college baseball. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft.
To Recap
Hunter Renfroe is a solid outfielder with a demonstrated ability to hit for power and produce runs. His 126 OPS+ in the 2022 season indicates that he was 26% better than the league-average hitter, which is a very good offensive performance.
Additionally, his defensive abilities in the outfield are also a strength, as he has shown good range and a strong arm. While his $11 million salary for the 2023 season is relatively high, it is not exorbitant for a player of his caliber, and he could be a valuable asset to the Brewers or another team as he approaches free agency.
Overall, Renfroe’s abilities make him a valuable player in the league, and he has the potential to continue to be a productive player for years to come.
