A Quick Look at the Newest Member of the Boston Red Sox
Once upon a time, outfielder Hunter Renfroe was one of the top prospects in all of baseball. Fast forward to 2020, and Renfroe is now going to be on his third major league team after signing a 1-year deal with the Boston Red Sox this afternoon.
MLB free agency: Red Sox sign slugger Hunter Renfroe to one-year contracthttps://t.co/lohIzvlDf2
— CBS Sports MLB (@CBSSportsMLB) December 14, 2020
Renfroe, 28, spent this past season with the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays after spending the first four years of his career with the San Diego Padres. But despite the changing of his uniform, he remained the same player. A player that Red Sox fans should be somewhat excited about.
The excitement should be tempered because there are definitely a couple of flaws to Renfroe’s game *cough, cough, batting average*. Still, Renfroe is a great fielder with plus, plus power.
The #RedSox have signed OF Hunter Renfroe to a 1-year deal. Boston actually selected Renfroe in the 31st round of the 2010 Draft, but he did not sign and ultimately went 13th overall to the Padres in 2013. Renfroe hit a career high 33 HRs for SD in 2019. pic.twitter.com/qSEOjaj27U
— Jack Aylmer (@Jack_Aylmer) December 14, 2020
If you combine Renfroe’s power with the Green Monster at Fenway Park, good things are going to happen. Doubles and homers will be plentiful any time Renfroe makes contact. But like I alluded to, Renfroe does not make contact very often. Over his career, Renfroe has a 28% strikeout rate. Definitely not ideal, but that comes with his light-tower power.
Essentially, Renfroe is Adam Dunn. The only difference is the fact that Renfroe is a good fielder. He has a cannon of an arm, and gets great jumps on his routes in the outfield.
Renfroe had 13 outfield assists in 2019, certified cannon. pic.twitter.com/ptND5F6Okq
— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) December 14, 2020
Don’t expect Renfroe to be an everyday starter with Andrew Benintendi and Alex Verdugo at the corner outfield spots, but Renfroe will be a great fourth outfielder / platoon guy. That is especially true considering he hits much better against left-handed pitchers over the course of his career.
| Split | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vs RHP | 388 | 1094 | 1014 | 131 | 219 | 51 | 1 | 61 | 152 | 65 | 341 | .216 | .268 | .449 | .717 | |
| vs LHP | 230 | 495 | 431 | 63 | 111 | 24 | 2 | 36 | 74 | 53 | 104 | .258 | .339 | .573 | .912 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/14/2020.
The Red Sox are not be done rebuilding their outfield for 2021, but Renfroe is a great start. He adds depth, power, and some solid feeling to a team that needs it after a horrendous 2020 season.
– Jarrod Ribaudo (@jarrod_ribaudo)