Renfroe Continuing His Education in Double-A
By Pat Turner - samissions.com
Hunter Renfroe has barely had time to catch his breath the past few weeks.
The hectic schedule came after Renfroe's success during the first two months of the season at High-A Lake Elsinore, where he batted .295 with 16 home runs and 52 RBI. That was good enough to be selected for the California League -Carolina League All-Star Game. Prior to flying cross country to Wilmington, DE, for the contest, the San Diego Padres' 2013 No. 1 draft pick, who was sporting a 14-game hitting streak with the Storm, learned he was heading to Double-A San Antonio afterward.
It made for a grinding schedule, but Renfroe wouldn't have had it any other way.
"It was fun," Renfroe, who is playing for Team USA in Sunday's Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN. "We had an extra inning game in High Desert and didn't get back home (Lake Elsinore) until one in the morning. We didn't even sleep.
"We got packed, sat around the locker room until the bus came to get us at 3:50 AM to fly to the All-Star game. We had a 12-hour flight.
"It was long, but the experience was fun. We enjoyed ourselves. The next morning we had a 5 AM wakeup call and I came to San Antonio. That was exciting, too. I was ready to get my feet wet and see what it was all about."
Things haven't been as hectic since landing in the Alamo City, but Renfroe has still been on the go as he tries to keep moving forward in the organization. He is currently batting .135 while roaming the outfield. Though Renfroe's plate appearances haven't been as productive as they were at Lake Elsinore, the outfielder remains optimistic. After all, facing Double-A pitching is at a higher level than what he experienced at the previous levels.
However, Renfroe feels more comfortable with each at-bat.
"I've been hitting the ball hard, but I've been hitting it right at people," Renfroe said. "That's the only bad thing. I'm trying to get the balls to fall. I'm having good at-bats and not striking out. That's encouraging.
"The pitchers at this level are older and they have kind of figured it out. You have to stay focused and come out every day with a great attitude."
The Padres love Renfroe's approach to the game as well as his skills. He can cover a great deal of ground in the outfield, plus he has a rifle arm that enables him to gun down runners. In addition, his bat has power.
"He's put up good enough numbers to be called up," Missions' manager Rich Dauer said. "This is a little tougher for him, because this a difficult place to hit. There's a lot of good pitchers here (in the Texas League). He's going to be fine. He has to learn to make adjustments."
Renfroe knows expectations are high. That's the way life goes for No. 1 draft choices. Although it can bring added pressure, the Mississippi State product takes it in stride.
His focus is on becoming the best possible player no matter where he was selected in the draft.
Still, being the Padres' top choice was a special moment. It happened as Mississippi State was preparing for the super regionals in Charlottesville. Renfroe knew he would most likely be chosen in the first round, but it didn't really hit home until his name was called as the 13th pick overall.
"We were getting off the airplane and I drove to the hotel with my aunt and uncle," Renfroe said. "We got there just in time for the draft. The guy a few picks ahead of me was named Hunter Dozier (eighth overall by Kansas City). You hear Hunter and you go whoa.
"It was great finally seeing my name come across. It was a big relief off my chest, because I had all these scouts calling me and wanting to know stuff. It was very heartwarming and great to be part of the Padres' organization. It's a first-class organization. I was happy they thought of me that highly."
Looking back, Renfro credits his college career for making it possible.
He was drafted by Boston in the 31st round following his senior year (2010) at Copiah Academy in Crystal Springs, MS.
However, Renfroe was set on playing college baseball. He believed playing for a national power like Mississippi State was the best way to refine his skills before going the professional route.
It was a wise choice as Renfroe has jumped to the Double-A level in less than a year.
"I am happy with the way things are going," Renfroe said. "I believe college helped me prepare for this. I always wanted to go to college and experience that. I was set on that. I wouldn't change that for the world.
"You learn so much that you don't in high school. By the time I got through college I knew a lot more because our coaches were top-notch. You notice that when you get to spring training. The maturity level is different than the young guys coming out of high school. It was amazing how much it helped me."
College started a little shaky as Renfroe underwent arthroscopic knee surgery following an injury the fall of his freshman year. When the season rolled around in the spring, Renfroe was ready to go.
He saw limited action as a freshman and made more strides as a sophomore. Everything came together his 
junior year. The first-team Rawlings/ABCA All-American batted .345 with 16 home runs and 65 RBI while leading the Bulldogs to the championship round of the College World Series where they lost to UCLA in two games.
Although missing out on a title was disappointing, being in the Omaha atmosphere was a great way to end his college career.
"That was one of the most special times in my life," Renfroe said. "I was with some of my best friends in college. Some of us had played together three years and were on the biggest stage in college baseball. I loved the town and people. It was a great experience all-around. I'll always remember it."
Now, Renfroe is set on establishing more memories.