Hunter Renfroe Bio
Dustin Hunter Renfroe (born January 28, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels, Cincinnati Reds, and Kansas City Royals. Across his MLB career through the 2025 season, Renfroe has posted a .236 batting average with 192 home runs and 510 runs batted in.
Drafted in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft by the Padres out of Mississippi State University, Renfroe has built a reputation as a power-hitting right fielder whose strong throwing arm and consistent home run production have made him a recognizable presence in multiple league lineups.
Early Life and Background
Hunter Renfroe was born and raised in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, to parents Todd and Tammy. Growing up in a small town in central Mississippi, Renfroe was introduced to baseball at a young age and developed his skills in local youth leagues. His family supported his early athletic pursuits and helped shape his competitive approach to the sport.
Renfroe attended Copiah Academy in Gallman, Mississippi, where he played for the school’s baseball team. His performance at Copiah Academy established him as one of the top amateur prospects in the state, drawing attention from both college recruiters and Major League Baseball scouts. The Boston Red Sox selected him in the 31st round of the 2010 MLB draft, but he chose not to sign, opting instead to continue his development at the collegiate level.
Path to Baseball
Following his decision to forgo professional baseball out of high school, Renfroe enrolled at Mississippi State University, where he played college baseball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He received a scholarship to compete in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference, a major pipeline for future MLB talent. During his college career, Renfroe earned recognition for his offensive production and was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week on April 15, 2013.
He was also added to the Golden Spikes Award watchlist and was named the 2013 recipient of the C Spire Ferriss Trophy, given to the best college baseball player in Mississippi. In the summers of 2011 and 2012, Renfroe played for the Bethesda Big Train of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, where in 2012 he broke the team’s records for most runs, home runs, runs batted in, slugging percentage, and total bases in a single season. The Big Train retired his number 11 that same year in honor of his standout summer performance.
Hunter Renfroe Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
The San Diego Padres selected Renfroe in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft with the 13th overall pick, and he agreed to a $2.678 million signing bonus. He began his professional career with the Eugene Emeralds of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League, where he participated in the league’s all-star game and registered the game-winning hit. The strong debut led to a midseason promotion to the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Class A Midwest League.
In 2014, Renfroe opened the season with the Lake Elsinore Storm of the Class A-Advanced California League, where he hit .295 with 16 home runs and 52 runs batted in over 69 games, earning a promotion to the San Antonio Missions of the Class AA Texas League. He played in the 2014 All-Star Futures Game and later joined the Arizona Fall League. In 2015, Renfroe began the year in San Antonio and was promoted in August to the El Paso Chihuahuas of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, finishing the season with a .272 average, 20 home runs, and 78 runs batted in.
San Diego Padres Breakthrough (2016–2019)
Renfroe opened the 2016 season with El Paso and won the Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player Award. After the Triple-A National Championship Game, the Padres promoted him to the major leagues on September 21, 2016. He made his first plate appearance as a pinch hitter that night, getting intentionally walked by Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Edwin Escobar. In 11 games with San Diego, Renfroe batted .371.
He made the Padres’ Opening Day roster in 2017 as the starting right fielder but was optioned to El Paso in August due to declining on-base performance before being recalled in September. He finished 2017 with a .231/.284/.467 line and 26 home runs. In 2018, Renfroe initially started primarily against left-handed pitching before earning more at-bats following an injury to Wil Myers, and he led the Padres with 26 home runs that season.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2020)
On December 6, 2019, Renfroe was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, along with Xavier Edwards and a player to be named later, in exchange for Tommy Pham and Jake Cronenworth. In the shortened 2020 season, he slashed .156/.252/.393 with eight home runs and 22 runs batted in across 42 games. On November 20, 2020, the Rays designated him for assignment, and he became a free agent five days later.
Boston Red Sox Era (2021)
On December 14, 2020, Renfroe signed a one-year, $3.1 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. He became a regular in Boston’s outfield and was placed on the bereavement list on August 26 due to the death of his father, returning on August 31. Renfroe played in 144 games during the season, batting .259 with 31 home runs and 96 runs batted in. He also appeared in 11 postseason games as the Red Sox advanced to the American League Championship Series.
Milwaukee Brewers Era (2022)
On December 1, 2021, the Red Sox traded Renfroe to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Jackie Bradley Jr., David Hamilton, and Alex Binelas. During the 2022 season with Milwaukee, he slashed .255/.315/.492 with 29 home runs and 72 runs batted in across 522 plate appearances, continuing his power-hitting profile in a new uniform.
Los Angeles Angels Era (2023)
On November 22, 2022, the Brewers traded Renfroe to the Los Angeles Angels. In February 2023, he won his salary arbitration case against the Angels, earning $11.9 million for the season. Across 126 games with Los Angeles, Renfroe batted .242/.304/.434 with 19 home runs and 56 runs batted in. On August 29, 2023, the Angels placed him on waivers.
Kansas City Royals Era (2024–2025)
On December 15, 2023, Renfroe signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Kansas City Royals that included a $7.5 million player option for the 2025 season. His 2024 campaign was marked by injuries, including a broken left big toe in June and a right hamstring strain in August, though he returned for the team’s playoff push. He made 120 appearances for Kansas City, slashing .229/.297/.392 with 15 home runs and 52 runs batted in, and on October 31 he triggered his player option for 2025.
In 2025, Renfroe made 35 appearances for the Royals but struggled to a .182/.241/.242 batting line with four runs batted in and eight walks. On May 23, 2025, the Royals designated him for assignment, and he was released on May 28, returning him to free agency.
Driving Style and Strengths
Renfroe’s game has been built around right-handed power, with a swing geared to drive the ball to the middle and pull side of the field. His strong throwing arm has made him an asset in right field, and his track record of 192 career home runs reflects a consistent ability to produce extra-base hits. Throughout his career, he has been valued as a run-producing bat in the middle of MLB lineups.
Notable Events and Milestones
Renfroe’s milestone moments include his 2013 first-round selection by the Padres, his 2016 Pacific Coast League MVP Award, and his 2021 postseason run with the Red Sox to the American League Championship Series. Reaching 192 career home runs and 510 runs batted in through the 2025 season marks him as a durable power producer across multiple franchises.
Hunter Renfroe Career Wins
Hunter Renfroe’s career highlights are rooted in individual offensive milestones and postseason appearances rather than championship hardware. Over the course of his MLB tenure, he has accumulated 192 home runs and 510 runs batted in across stops in San Diego, Tampa Bay, Boston, Milwaukee, Los Angeles (AL), Cincinnati, and Kansas City.
MLB Highlights
Renfroe’s first MLB home run came in 2016 with the Padres shortly after his September call-up. His strongest season statistically came in 2021 with Boston, when he hit 31 home runs and drove in 96 runs while helping the Red Sox reach the American League Championship Series. He posted another strong power season in 2022 with Milwaukee, blasting 29 home runs with 72 runs batted in.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond MLB, Renfroe earned the 2013 C Spire Ferriss Trophy as the best college baseball player in Mississippi and was a 2014 All-Star Futures Game participant. His record-setting 2012 summer with the Bethesda Big Train of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League stands as a defining amateur achievement.
Hunter Renfroe Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hunter Renfroe was raised by his parents, Todd and Tammy, in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. His father Todd passed away in August 2021, a moment Renfroe acknowledged by his placement on the bereavement list during his Red Sox tenure.
Personal Life
Renfroe married Courtney Beach on December 5, 2015, in their hometown of Crystal Springs, Mississippi. He is a Christian, and the family has been a consistent presence throughout his professional baseball journey.
2025 Season Performance
Renfroe entered 2025 having triggered his $7.5 million player option with the Royals following an injury-marred 2024 season. His 2025 campaign with Kansas City proved short, as he made 35 appearances and posted a .182/.241/.242 line with four runs batted in and eight walks. The Royals designated him for assignment on May 23, 2025, and released him on May 28, returning Renfroe to free agency.
With the early-season release, Renfroe’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 centered on finding a new team that valued his right-handed power and outfield defense. His 192 career home runs and prior 30-home-run seasons with Boston and Milwaukee positioned him as a potential buy-low addition for clubs seeking middle-of-the-order thump.
As a free agent, Renfroe’s 2025 storyline is one of transition, with the next chapter of his career dependent on signing with a franchise looking to add veteran power to its roster.
