STARKVILLE — Hunter Renfroe has one goal this spring.
The former Mississippi State Bulldog will attend spring training with the San Diego Padres, the team that drafted him 13th overall in the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft.
Renfroe, who hasn’t made an appearance with the Padres, sees spring training as an opportunity to reach his goal of playing in the majors. On Tuesday, Renfroe was in Starkville to throw out the first pitch at Cowbell Yell. While the appearance at the third-annual event, which serves as the kickoff meeting for “The Dudes,” MSU baseball’s student fan organization, brought back memories, it didn’t alter Renfroe’s focus on his goal.
“I’m going there to battle for a position,” Renfroe said. “I’m there to maybe try to make the major league club and work as hard as I possibly can.”
Renfroe was invited to spring training last year and learned from players like outfielders Matt Kemp and Justin Upton. Renfroe, a right fielder, said he was nervous when he walked into the clubhouse for the first time because he looked up to guys like Kemp and Upton growing up. He said he shook off the nervousness quickly and tried to soak up as much knowledge as he could.
“I think it was a big learning experience,” Renfroe said. “I learned a lot from them and learned how to go about the game the right way and how to encourage other younger kids and younger players.”
Renfroe will report to spring training Tuesday, Feb. 23, in Peoria, Arizona, as an invited non-roster player. He said it is staggering to consider he is one step from making the majors.
“There’s not very many guys,” Renfroe said. “There may be 50 something guys that get to do that, so I’m very blessed to be a part of it and experience it and be a part of a great team, a great World Series team. I hope one day I don’t just go to spring training but be there with the big dogs on opening day. That’s always the goal. You go up there and work as hard as you possibly can to be on the big league team.”
Drafted in the 31st round by the Boston Red Sox as a senior in high school in 2010, Renfroe put professional baseball on hold for three years and attended MSU. The former Copiah Academy standout played in 20 games (five starts) as a freshman in 2011. He served time as a pitcher, outfielder, catcher, and designated hitter.
As a sophomore, Renfroe started 60 of 61 games, including 33 games in center fielder after C.T. Bradford was sidelined with an injury. He hit .252 that season. After the 2012 season ended at the Tallahassee (Fla.) Regional, Renfroe played summer ball for the Bethesda Big Train, where he was named Most Valuable Player of the 2012 Cal Ripken Senior League. He led the league with 16 home runs, 53 RBIs, 47 runs, and an .866 slugging percentage, all league records.
His play carried over to his junior season at MSU, where he hit .345 with 16 home runs, 65 RBIs, and a .620 slugging percentage. He helped MSU advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, where it lost to UCLA in the National Championship Series.
“In my mind, Hunter is a big leaguer,” MSU assistant coach Nick Mingione said. “But it’s like any other job, in order to keep it, you have to be able to perform. He’s going to perform, and I think it’s just a matter of time before he steps foot into a big league locker room.”
As a minor leaguer, Renfroe has hit .270 with five teams. He has 47 home runs and 178 RBIs.
MSU coach John Cohen believes it’s only a matter of time before Renfroe is called up. He also feels Renfroe will have a long career once he is called up.
“He’s a five-tool guy and he makes great decisions,” Cohen said. “Everything’s in place for him to have a long career. So many kids who are in his situation make very bad decisions and it costs them. I can’t see Hunter Renfroe making bad decisions.”
Renfroe said he doesn’t know whether he will be on the 25-man roster or will be assigned to the minor leagues after spring training. He said injuries could earn him a spot with the Padres, but he doesn’t want it that way.
“I wish everybody well,” Renfroe said. “You don’t want to wish anybody hurt. I want to be the best player on the field and win my position. Hopefully I get a shot. If I don’t, I’m going to be there next year.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.