August 30 Must know prospect: Hunter renfroe

Julian Mininsohn @jmininsohn

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Organization: San Diego Padres
Current Team: El Paso Chihuahuas
Drafted: 1st Round, No. 13 Overall in 2013

Minor League prospects in losing organizations fly under the radar. None truer than El Paso Chihuahuas’ (AAA of San Diego Padres) Hunter Renfroe. Maybe it’s time people started paying attention. Renfroe is having a amazing season in the minors and the Padres are being reluctant to call him up to the big leagues. 
Strengths:
The kid can absolutely rake. Renfroe has recorded 27 home runs and 93 RBIs for El Paso this season. That is 4.5 times more home runs and just under four times as many RBIs as he did in 2015 with the team. And not only does Renfroe bat in runs, but he does it efficiently.  He is hitting an impressive .321 with a .942 OPS. Not only that but Renfroe has speed on the base pads and a good outfield arm.
Comparisons:
An oldie, but goodie. With the sheer hitting ability Raul Mondesi is Renfroe’s most respectable comparison. In his prime, Mondesi was a tough out because of his hitting versatility. Renfroe finds the fine line between hitting for both average and power. Don’t be surprised if you see him in a Padres uniform very soon. And why not? In another abysmal Padres season with brittle outfield depth, what have you got to lose? If Renfroe can develop than he and Will Myers can be a solid young one-two punch. The Padres have two bright future stars in what it is a dark and bleak present.