Atlanta Braves Hunter Renfroe rumor
By Fred Owens
There isn’t one but there should be. The Atlanta Braves are seeking outfield help and the Padres now seem willing to discuss Hunter Renfroe. What’s the holdup?
Yesterday’s hot rumor involved the Atlanta Braves and the Ray’s Corey Dickerson. That could still happen as the Rays try to sell something they’ll give away next week. In the interim, another potential Atlanta Braves target emerged this weekend as well; Hunter Renfroe.
The closest thing to the suggestion of a rumor from anyone is this tweet from Jon Morosi.
Trade interest in Hunter Renfroe has picked up since #Padres reached agreement with Eric Hosmer, sources say. #Braves are known to be looking for an outfielder. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 19, 2018
The Braves are looking for an outfielder; that’s it. That said, it makes a lot of sense; more sense than acquiring Dickerson.
Reasons for Renfroe
| Hit | Game Power | Raw Power | Speed | Field | Throws | FV |
| 40 / 50 | 45 / 60 |
70 / 70 |
50 / 40 |
50 / 50 |
60 / 60 |
50 |
(Scouting grades courtesy Fangraphs)
The Padres made Renfroe their first selection (13th overall) in the 2013 draft. He spent the next three years on everyone’s top 100 prospect list as shown on the Baseball-Reference site.
Baseball America
MLB (Jonathon Mayo)
Baseball Prospectus
Pre-2014
#80
N/R
N/R
Pre-2015
#73
#48
#50
Pre-2016
#86
#92
#90
Pre-2017
#44
#42
#92
Renfroe’s a solid hitter with a power bat carrying tool. Baseball America ($) called his raw power “double plus” but it turn into consistent game power until 2016 when his 30 homers led the PCL. He backed that power with a true hitter’s line of .333/.358/.633/.991, 131 wRC+ and a .382 wOBA.
After an eleven game cup of coffee in 2016, the 6’ 1”, 220lb native of Crystal Springs Mississippi opened the season playing right field in the Padres starting lineup.