Padres’ Hunter Renfroe Has Earned a Starting Role in 2019
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Last year was a trying season for San Diego Padres’ outfielder Hunter Renfroe as he was demoted by the team at one point. By making some key adjustments, Renfroe looks as though he has definitely established himself as a starter for the 2019 season and beyond.
It may have taken a while, but Hunter Renfroe has found a consistent power stroke.
The former first-round pick has been merrily crushing baseballs ever since the calendar turned to August, raising his batting line to .259/.311/.514 and slamming 11 home runs to give him 19 on the year, one away from Christian Villanueva for the team lead.
The slugger has seen a rise in the rest of his stats as well, as he is second on the team in wOBA (.347) and wRC+ (121), and he currently leads the team in slugging (.514) and ISO (.256). Renfroe has seen his numbers jump thanks to a change in his plate approach where, instead of hacking at every pitch in sight, he takes his time at the plate and carefully selects the pitch he swings at. This new approach has led to an increased BB% (6.7%) and a lowered K% (24.7%).
The outfielders newfound plate discipline has resulted in better pitches at the plate in better counts, which has led to more power and run scoring opportunities. He is now hitting consistently in the middle of the lineup and getting constant at-bats, proving that he finally belongs in the daily lineup and has earned his keep.
Renfroe has improved after a very slow start. The right fielder started the season off batting .200/.281/.440, but hit the DL on April 21 with right arm inflation. The injury slowed him down and affected not just his ability to hit, but to even throw the ball without getting shooting pain in his right arm. He returned on May 28 after missing 35 games, but remained inconsistent with his discipline and power. At times, he showed David Eckstein levels of peskiness, while at other times he would’ve benefited by swinging a tennis racket rather than a baseball bat.
Extended time with hitting coach Matt Stairs and the batting cage have finally paid off for Renfroe, as he is now hitting the ball better than he has in his career, and instead of being down 0-2, he is now working counts of 2-1 and 3-2, and has seen the results of it. While his walks are still down, Renfroe is finally seeing more pitches and making better contact in counts that the team wants him to be in.
In a lineup that is desperate for power, having a big bat like Renfroe’s is a big plus, especially with hitters like Wil Myers and Eric Hosmer having down years in terms of power. Travis Jankowski and Manny Margot are not big power hitters, and while Franmil Reyes has improved, there may not be enough room for him on the roster due to the crammed outfield.
2019 could be the season where we see Renfroe break out and become the power hitter that fans have been waiting for. Injuries to other players such as Alex Dickerson and Franchy Cordero have given him ample time to prove that he belongs. While he has to be able to keep up the hot pace into Spring Training and not fall into an early season slump, Renfroe’s new plate discipline will keep him steady and hopefully avoid prolonged slumps. It is not hard to see Hunter Renfroe leading an offensive charge in 2019 and becoming a staple of the Padres’ lineup.
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This team is such a mess. Hunter Renfroe and Franchy Cordero should be our starting corner outfielders next year. Anyone who has watched either of them a baseball field for 5 minutes should know that. As Gary points out though Preller will probably take it off the rails. We have 2+ seasons invested in getting Renfroe to where he is today (Hedges as well) and Preller would ship either of them out the first chance he got. Meanwhile everything Preller has ever spent any $$$ on has been a total disaster (Myers, Hosmer, Mitchell, Shields etc.) If we had even ONE good free agent signing in the last 4 years it might work wonders for these other guys.
My thoughts? I have NO idea what to expect from AJ Preller. We know he is pulling all the strings on players and lineups, NOT manager Green. So please ease up on Green.
My feelings about Preller remain the same; he would greatly prefer that HIS players be all over the diamond. And it doesn’t matter what you and I think. Any player he has inherited is on a short leash, while “his guys” have unlimited chances to show what they can do. Is it fair? Of course not but it is what it is. I personally believe Renfroe has earned the right to start; he has worked exceptionally hard to be the player he is today. But I also feel the same about Jankowski, who in my mind has outperformed Margot Are Hunter and Travis considered two guys that Preller and the Padres value for 2019? We’ll see. But I would NOT be surprised to see them both traded in the off season so that Preller gets to put his guys on the field.
We just learned Mejia has been called up and he will split the catching duties with Hedges. What does that mean for 2019 and beyond? I hope it means that Mejia will be showcased and then traded for something we need, NOT something we don’t need – an extra catcher when Austin Allen is waiting in AA. Remember, he’s good too! Does Hedges need a capable #2 behind him? Of course! But that won’t be Mejia. If he stays, he starts.
Again, I’m no fan of Preller’s. I think the constant lineup tinkering and auditions this season has been a circus. A player is in the lineup one day and out the next. As much as I think Preller has shown a really good eye on scouting, can he make great trades, smart free agent signings and assemble a winning team? I say NO. But if Fowler and Seidler like what he is doing, he gets to stay.
Really depends on what they can get for him. Find a dumb GM – anyone have the number for the Mets? – and it’s easy to trade him, with a much more athletic Cordero taking his place, or you keep him and he’s one of only two players with an OPS above .800. Okay either way.
Renfroe has definitely earned a starting spot in the outfield. However, it wouldn’t shock me if they traded him, since he is probably at peak value right now. Hope it doesn’t happen.