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Padres News: Hunter Renfroe Sent To Minors Camp

By Daryll Dorman |

There is little doubt that Hunter Renfroe will soon be playing at Petco Park for the San Diego Padres. Just not right now.

On Monday, Renfroe was one of six roster moves the Padres made, and has been reassigned to minor league camp; along with fellow prospects Aaron Northcraft, from the Justin Upton deal, and Justin Hancock, as reported by Alyson Footer of MLB.com.

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Renfroe, of course, was the Padres 2013 #1 Draft Pick. He had a great career at Mississippi State, highlighted by leading his team to the College World Series, before losing to UCLA. He has played well in the Padres minor league system so far, but is still developing his major league hitting skills. His natural talent and athleticism though leaves no questions. Count manager Bud Black as someone who again came away impressed with the 23 year-old outfielder:

“Hunter showed well, there’s still a number of things he has to take care of on the Minor League side to continue his climb to the Majors. He’s not a finished product. He has a nice set of baseball skills — he can run, he can throw, and defensively, he does a nice job as far as routes and angles. We’ve all seen the raw power.”

Indeed, we did. Renfroe went on a tear in the 2014 Arizona Fall League and showed more fans the promise he has this spring when he sent a ball, in a “B” game, out of the Padres section of Peoria Sports Complex and into an area occupied by the Mariners. Fore?

Renfroe is rated as the Padres #1 Prospect and one of the exciting realities of all the trades that A.J. Preller made, is that he did not have to give up Renfore, Matt Wisler, or catcher Austin Hedges. Overall Renfroe is rated #49 of the top 100 prospects by MLB.com.

Just how much longer does he needs in the minors might be up to him. Last year in Single-A he hit 17 home runs in 69 games and was right around .300. He advanced to Double-A and struggled some, only hitting five homers in 60 games; his batting average dropping to .232.

The Padres thought do not seem to be too worried about it. Black seemed to sum up their thinking well:

“This guy has a good head on his shoulder. He knows what he needs to do. He needs experience, at-bats against good pitching.”

Have fun in the minors this season, Hunter. Hoping next spring training you are fighting for an outfield spot in front of a World Series banner.

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