Rob Refsnyder Bio
Robert Daniel Refsnyder, born on March 26, 1991, in Seoul, South Korea, is an American professional baseball outfielder who plays in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners. Adopted at five months old by a family from Southern California, he rose from a multisport high school standout to a College World Series champion before embarking on a long professional journey through the Yankees system and several other franchises. Known for his versatility across the outfield and infield, Refsnyder has carved out a respected career as a dependable role player and timely contributor.
After stints with the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, and Boston Red Sox, Refsnyder signed with the Seattle Mariners in December 2025. His journey from Seoul to Major League Baseball has made him a notable figure among Korean-born MLB position players.
Early Life and Background
Robert Daniel Refsnyder was born Kim Jung-tae in Seoul, South Korea, and was adopted at five months old by Clint and Jane Refsnyder of Laguna Hills, California, through Holt International Children’s Services. The Refsnyders had previously adopted a girl from South Korea three years earlier, giving Rob an older sister who also joined the family from Korea. Growing up in Laguna Hills, Refsnyder developed into a gifted athlete in a supportive household that encouraged his passion for sports.
At Laguna Hills High School, Refsnyder starred in baseball, basketball, and football, earning recognition as a multi-sport leader. He played wide receiver and outside linebacker as a junior before moving to quarterback as a senior, when he was named his division’s Offensive Player of the Year. On the diamond, he was co-most valuable player of the Pacific Coast League, and NCAA Division I football programs recruited him to play quarterback.
Despite his football talent, Refsnyder chose to focus on baseball and enrolled at the University of Arizona to play for the Arizona Wildcats in the Pac-10 Conference. The decision set the stage for one of the most memorable college careers of any future MLB player of his era.
Path to Baseball
Refsnyder quickly established himself as a foundational piece of the Arizona Wildcats program. As a freshman in 2010, he batted .344 with two home runs in 57 games, earning All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention recognition. He returned the next year to play in all 60 Wildcats games, batting .320 with six home runs and earning a first-team All-Pac-10 selection before spending a summer with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
His junior season became the defining chapter of his amateur career. In 2012, Refsnyder batted .364, leading the Wildcats with eight home runs, 66 runs batted in, and 14 stolen bases. He homered in the first game of the College World Series, batted .476 across the tournament, and helped Arizona defeat the South Carolina Gamecocks for the national championship. His performance earned him the College World Series Most Outstanding Player award, cementing his status as a top MLB prospect.
The New York Yankees selected Refsnyder in the fifth round of the 2012 MLB draft, with the 187th overall pick. He signed for a $205,900 bonus and reported to the Charleston RiverDogs of the Single-A South Atlantic League, where his professional career officially began.
Rob Refsnyder Career
Early Career (2012–2014)
Refsnyder opened his professional career with the Charleston RiverDogs in 2012, batting .241 in his first taste of pro ball. The Yankees returned him to Charleston to begin 2013, and after a strong start that included a .370 batting average and .452 on-base percentage in 13 games, he earned a promotion to the Tampa Yankees of the High-A Florida State League. He finished 2013 with a .283 average, a .408 on-base percentage, and a .404 slugging percentage across 117 games, adding six home runs and 51 runs batted in.
In 2014, Refsnyder advanced to the Trenton Thunder of the Double-A Eastern League, where hitting coach Marcus Thames helped him rework his swing to generate more power. He batted .342 with six home runs in 60 games for Trenton, won the Eastern League Player of the Week Award, and earned a midseason promotion to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of Triple-A. He finished the year with a .300 average, eight home runs, and 33 runs batted in, establishing himself as one of the Yankees’ top prospects at second base.
New York Yankees Breakthrough (2015–2017)
The Yankees gave Refsnyder a shot at the major league roster in 2015, but he began the year in Triple-A to continue refining his defense. He received his call to the majors on July 11, becoming the fourth position player in MLB history to be born in South Korea. Two days later, he collected his first two major league hits, including a two-run home run. After a brief option back to Triple-A, Refsnyder returned for the September stretch run and finished 2015 with a .302 average and two home runs. He started for the Yankees in the American League Wild Card Game that October.
In 2016, Refsnyder competed for a utility infielder role but was optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in late March. The Yankees recalled him in mid-May, and after injuries to Mark Teixeira and Dustin Ackley, he began seeing time at first base. He batted .262 in 58 major league games before being optioned again in August, then returned as a September call-up. His 2017 season ended abruptly when the Yankees designated him for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster following a trade deadline deal that brought in David Robertson, Todd Frazier, and Tommy Kahnle.
Toronto Blue Jays (2017)
On July 23, 2017, the Yankees traded Refsnyder to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Ryan McBroom. Toronto assigned him to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons before promoting him six days later to provide infield depth. Refsnyder saw most of his action at second base and batted .196 across 32 games to close out the year.
Tampa Bay Rays (2018)
After being claimed by the Cleveland Indians and then traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in March 2018, Refsnyder made the Rays’ Opening Day roster and batted ninth as the designated hitter. He struggled against right-handed pitching and was designated for assignment in mid-June before clearing waivers. Sent to the Durham Bulls, he batted .283 in 51 games and starred in the International League postseason, batting .367 with two home runs and six runs batted in to earn postseason Most Valuable Player honors as Durham won the league title.
Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins (2020–2021)
After a brief detour through the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds systems in 2019, Refsnyder signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers and made the 2020 Opening Day roster during the COVID-19-shortened season. He hit .200 without a home run in limited action before being designated for assignment in late August. The Minnesota Twins signed him to a minor league deal in December 2020, and he opened 2021 with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints before being selected to the active roster in May. He served as the backup center fielder behind Max Kepler and finished the year with a .245 average, two home runs, and 12 runs batted in across 51 games, though his season was interrupted by a concussion and a hamstring strain.
Boston Red Sox Era (2022–2025)
Refsnyder signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox in late November 2021 and forced his way onto the major league roster with a torrid start at Triple-A Worcester. He made his Red Sox debut on April 23, 2022, and finished the year batting .307 with a .384 on-base percentage and six home runs in 57 games. After agreeing to a one-year, $1.85 million extension in June 2023, he batted .248 with one home run and 28 runs batted in across 89 games.
A fractured toe delayed his 2024 spring training, but Refsnyder rebounded to appear in 93 games and bat .283 with 11 home runs and 40 runs batted in. The Red Sox exercised their $2.1 million option for 2025, and he batted .269 with nine home runs in 70 games despite missing two weeks in August with an oblique injury. In his first playoff appearance since 2015, he went 0-for-5 with a walk as Boston fell to the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card Series.
Seattle Mariners Era (2026–Present)
On December 22, 2025, Refsnyder signed a one-year, $6.25 million contract with the Seattle Mariners, becoming the fourth MLB player born in South Korea to play for the franchise. He opened the year 0-for-18 before going on the paternity list, and he marked his return with a leadoff home run on the first pitch he saw against the Texas Rangers. Through early June 2026, he was batting .248 with 36 home runs and 163 runs batted in for Seattle, offering reliable production in the lineup.
Driving Style and Strengths
Refsnyder’s game is built on contact, plate discipline, and positional flexibility. He has consistently produced strong on-base numbers by working counts and making consistent contact, and he is regarded as a quality defender who can comfortably handle second base, all three outfield spots, and first base. His willingness to play anywhere and his steady bat have made him a valuable complementary piece for contending rosters.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Refsnyder’s career highlights are his 2012 College World Series Most Outstanding Player award, his first major league home run for the Yankees in 2015, and his International League postseason MVP honor with Durham in 2018. He made his first MLB playoff appearance in a decade during Boston’s 2025 AL Wild Card Series loss to the Yankees, and his leadoff home run in his first at-bat back from the paternity list in 2026 added another memorable moment to his resume.
Rob Refsnyder Career Wins
Across his major league career, Rob Refsnyder has established himself as a reliable contributor for multiple franchises, batting .248 with 36 home runs and 163 runs batted in through early June 2026. He has delivered timely hits, strong on-base numbers, and steady defense at multiple positions, earning roles on contending teams in both leagues.
MLB Highlights
Refsnyder’s most memorable MLB moments include his first two hits and a two-run home run in his 2015 debut for the Yankees, his .307 batting average in 57 games during his first season with the Red Sox in 2022, and his 11-home-run, 40-RBI campaign with Boston in 2024. His first career leadoff home run for the Mariners in 2026 underscored his knack for coming through in key situations.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the majors, Refsnyder helped lead the Arizona Wildcats to the 2012 College World Series title and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. In the minor leagues, he earned Eastern League Player of the Week honors in 2014 and was the International League postseason Most Valuable Player with Durham in 2018, highlighting his impact at every level of professional baseball.
Rob Refsnyder Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Rob Refsnyder was born in Seoul, South Korea, and adopted at five months old by Clint and Jane Refsnyder, a couple from Laguna Hills, California. He has an older sister, also adopted from South Korea, who played college softball at Kenyon College. Their father played college basketball at Muhlenberg College, giving the family a strong athletic foundation.
Personal Life
Refsnyder met his wife, Monica Refsnyder, while both were students at the University of Arizona in 2012. Monica is an All-American swimmer who competed in the 2008 and 2012 United States Olympic trials, attempting to qualify for the Summer Games. The couple married in December 2015, welcomed their first child, a son, in 2021, and recently added a third child in 2026. Rob has also been a vocal supporter of adoption, working with Athletes Brand to raise money for foster children in the Tampa Bay area.
2025 Season Performance
Rob Refsnyder entered the 2025 season coming off a $2.1 million option exercised by the Boston Red Sox. A fractured toe had delayed his spring training the previous year, but he answered the bell in 2025 by appearing in 70 games and batting .269 with nine home runs. His consistent contact and on-base skills kept him in the middle of the Red Sox lineup for most of the summer.
An oblique muscle injury cost him about two weeks in August, but he returned down the stretch to help Boston reach the postseason. In his first MLB playoff appearance since 2015, Refsnyder drew a walk and went 0-for-5 as the Red Sox were eliminated by the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card Series. Despite the ending, his steady regular-season production reaffirmed his value as a versatile veteran.
Following the season, Refsnyder reached free agency and signed a one-year, $6.25 million contract with the Seattle Mariners in December 2025. The deal positioned him as a key depth piece in Seattle’s outfield and a steady veteran presence as the Mariners pushed for a return to the postseason in 2026.
