RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target ~265
CURRENT ADP: 292
ANALYSIS: San Diego Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe debuted in 2016 by crushing four HR 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; his .284 OBP was simply not good enough. Renfroe enters 2018 as the starting right fielder, but the corner outfield spots in San Diego should be highly competitive. 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.
Owners should be keen to streaming Renfroe against LHPs and follow the OF developments in spring training. Another thing that may complicate things in the outfield is that Wil Myers is now in the outfield rotation with the addition of Eric Hosmer. With Renfroe's ability to mash left-handed pitching, he makes a good addition in the last round of drafts as a useful bench piece.
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