RADIO
Hunter Renfroe Looks To Continue To Mash Lefties
7 years agoFantasy owners and Padres fans alike salivated when Hunter Renfroe debuted in 2016 by crushing 4 HRs and posting a 1.189 OPS in 11 games. The power numbers persisted for Renfroe in 2017 (26 dingers) but a weak supporting offense, poor .231 Average and 29.2% Strikeout rate led to a forgettable season. Despite the homers, Renfroe scored only 51 Runs and produced 58 RBI over 479 PAs; the .284 OBP was simply not good enough. Renfroe enters 2018 in a highly competitive battle for right field. To secure an everyday role, Renfroe will need to improve his defense (-5.7 UZR) and plate discipline (0.19 BB:K). One bright spot is Renfroe’s handling of left-handed pitchers, his 1.077 OPS against lefties was materially better than the .636 versus righties. Fantasy-wise, Renfroe’s ADP of 303 likely means he’ll be a FA heading into the season. Owners should be keen to streaming Renfroe against LHPs and follow the OF developments in spring training. Renfroe could be a useful source for power but his spotty performance in other categories will make him difficult to trust on a consistent basis.
