Hunter Renfroe is a professional baseball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Angels in the 2023 season. He has had a successful career so far, including stints with the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox.
Renfroe recently signed a one-year, $11.9 million contract with the Angels in arbitration, and he has already made an impact on the team’s performance this season.
In this blog post, we will explore Hunter Renfroe’s background, his MLB career, and his recent performance with the Angels. We will also discuss what fans can expect from Renfroe in the remainder of the 2023 season.
Hunter Renfroe’s Background and Early Career
Hunter Renfroe was born on January 28, 1992, in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. He attended Copiah Academy, where he played both baseball and football.
Renfroe’s success on the baseball field earned him a scholarship to Mississippi State University, where he played for the Bulldogs from 2011 to 2013.
At Mississippi State, Renfroe quickly made a name for himself as a powerful hitter and strong outfielder. In his junior year, he batted .352 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs, leading the Bulldogs to the College World Series.
Renfroe was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Starkville Regional and was selected by the San Diego Padres as the 13th overall pick in the 2013 MLB draft.
After signing with the Padres, Renfroe began his professional career in the minor leagues. He played for several different teams, including the Fort Wayne TinCaps, Lake Elsinore Storm, San Antonio Missions, and El Paso Chihuahuas.
In 2016, he was called up to the majors for the first time and made his debut on September 21 against the San Francisco Giants.
Renfroe’s early MLB career with the Padres was marked by both successes and struggles. In 2017, he hit 26 home runs and drove in 58 RBIs, earning him a spot on the National League All-Star ballot.
However, in 2018 and 2019, Renfroe struggled with consistency and injuries, leading to a decline in his performance.
In December 2019, Renfroe was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. He played for the Rays during the 2020 season, batting .156 with eight home runs and 22 RBIs in 42 games.
In December 2020, Renfroe signed a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, where he played in the 2021 season before becoming a free agent at the end of the season.
Hunter Renfroe’s Mlb Career With the Padres and Red Sox
Hunter Renfroe’s MLB career began with the San Diego Padres, where he played from 2016 to 2019. As mentioned earlier, Renfroe had a strong rookie season, hitting 4 home runs in his first 10 games.
In 2017, he had a breakout season, hitting 26 home runs and driving in 58 RBIs. Renfroe continued to show flashes of his potential in the following seasons, but injuries and inconsistent performance hindered his overall output.
After the 2019 season, the Padres traded Renfroe to the Tampa Bay Rays. However, his stint with the Rays was brief as they released him in November 2020, making him a free agent.
In December 2020, Renfroe signed a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox.
Renfroe’s time with the Red Sox was marked by both strong and weak moments. He had a career-high 31 home runs and 96 RBIs in 2019, but he struggled in the shortened 2020 season with the Rays.
In 2021, Renfroe had a slow start with the Red Sox, hitting just .181 in April. However, he picked up his pace in the following months, and by the end of the season, he had hit 31 home runs and drove in 96 RBIs, tying his career-highs from 2019.
Despite his strong performance in 2021, the Red Sox declined to pick up Renfroe’s option for the 2022 season, making him a free agent once again. The decision to let Renfroe go was likely influenced by the emergence of younger outfielders in the Red Sox system, along with concerns about Renfroe’s defense.
Overall, Renfroe’s MLB career has been marked by flashes of brilliance and inconsistency. He has shown the ability to hit for power and drive in runs, but injuries and inconsistency have often held him back.
Hunter Renfroe’s One-year Contract With the Angels
After becoming a free agent following the 2021 season, Hunter Renfroe signed a one-year, $11.9 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels in February 2023.
The contract was signed in arbitration, which is a process where a player and team negotiate a salary for the upcoming season if they cannot agree on a contract beforehand.
Renfroe’s signing with the Angels came as a surprise to some, as the team already had several outfielders on its roster. However, the Angels likely saw Renfroe as a valuable addition to their lineup due to his power-hitting ability and potential to drive in runs.
Renfroe was expected to play a significant role in the Angels’ outfield rotation, which also included Mike Trout, Justin Upton, Jo Adell, and Brandon Marsh.
With his strong performance in the past, the Angels hoped Renfroe could provide some much-needed power and consistency to the lineup.
The expectations for Renfroe with the Angels in the 2023 season were high, with many fans and analysts hoping he could replicate his success from previous seasons.
Renfroe was expected to play regularly and hit for power, potentially serving as a cleanup hitter in the lineup. The Angels hoped that Renfroe’s presence would help them contend for a playoff spot in the competitive American League West division.
Hunter Renfroe’s Performance With the Angels in 2023
Hunter Renfroe’s performance with the Los Angeles Angels so far in the 2023 season has been solid. He has provided the Angels with some much-needed power hitting, already hitting five home runs and driving in 16 RBIs in the first few weeks of the season.
Renfroe’s batting average has been hovering around .250, which is slightly lower than his career average, but his power hitting has made up for it.
Renfroe’s defensive performance has also been commendable, as he has shown good range and made several important catches in the outfield. His arm strength has also been on display, as he has made strong throws to prevent runners from advancing.
On April 18, 2023, Renfroe had a standout performance against his former team, the Boston Red Sox. He went 2-for-4 in the game, hitting a three-run homer in the sixth inning and driving in an additional RBI in the eighth inning.
Renfroe’s homer was a crucial moment in the game, giving the Angels a lead they would not relinquish. His performance was cheered by fans and teammates alike, as Renfroe demonstrated his value to the Angels’ lineup.
Overall, Renfroe’s performance with the Angels in the 2023 season has been promising. He has shown that he can hit for power and drive in runs, while also providing solid defense in the outfield.
If Renfroe can maintain this level of performance throughout the season, he will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to the Angels as they strive to compete in the highly competitive American League West division.
Hunter Renfroe’s MLB Career Statistics (as of the end of the 2022 season)
| Year | Team | Games Played | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBIs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | SD | 11 | .371 | 4 | 14 |
| 2017 | SD | 122 | .231 | 26 | 58 |
| 2018 | SD | 117 | .248 | 26 | 68 |
| 2019 | SD | 140 | .216 | 33 | 64 |
| 2020 | TB | 42 | .156 | 8 | 22 |
| 2021 | BOS | 147 | .249 | 31 | 96 |
| 2022 | LAA | 162 | .234 | 24 | 74 |
Note: Games played include regular season and postseason games.
Frequently Asked Questions
What positions can Hunter Renfroe play?
Hunter Renfroe is primarily an outfielder, but he has also played some first base in the past.
Has Hunter Renfroe ever been named an All-Star?
Hunter Renfroe has never been named an All-Star, although he was on the National League All-Star ballot in 2017.
What is Hunter Renfroe’s career batting average?
Hunter Renfroe’s career batting average is .231 as of the end of the 2022 season.
What is the longest home run Hunter Renfroe has ever hit?
According to Statcast, the longest home run Hunter Renfroe has hit in his career traveled 477 feet.
Has Hunter Renfroe ever won any awards?
Hunter Renfroe has not won any major awards in his career, but he did win the College World Series Most Outstanding Player award in 2013.
To Recap
Hunter Renfroe has had an eventful baseball career, from his college baseball days at Mississippi State to his current role with the Los Angeles Angels.
Renfroe has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career, with the ability to hit for power and drive in runs. However, his inconsistency and injuries have at times hindered his overall performance.
Renfroe’s move to the Angels in 2023 came as a surprise to some, given the team’s already crowded outfield. However, Renfroe has quickly established himself as a valuable asset to the team, providing power-hitting and solid defense.
His recent performance against the Boston Red Sox, hitting a three-run homer and driving in an additional RBI, showed his potential to be a key player for the Angels this season.
Overall, Hunter Renfroe’s career has been marked by ups and downs, but his talent and potential have always been evident. With his current role with the Angels, Renfroe has a chance to showcase his abilities and make a significant impact on his team’s success.
Fans will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on Renfroe’s performance as the 2023 season progresses.
