Slugger: Kyle West's 2026 was one for Renegades record books

One of the consistent presences in the Renegades lineup throughout the 2026 season was first baseman Kyle West, who quietly put up one of the most prolific offensive seasons in Renegades history.

Much of the attention, rightfully, has gone toward West becoming the first Renegades hitter to ever post a 20 homer, 20 steal season, but his season was special in ways that go beyond that.

West, 23, was the Yankees' 13th round pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft out of West Virginia University. After a short stint with the Tampa Tarpons after the draft in '25, he broke Spring Training with the Hudson Valley Renegades in 2026.

He started the season with a bang, collecting an RBI double and stealing two bases on Opening Night on April 2 at Brooklyn. That set the stage for the season that was to come for West.

Before the season Renegades hitting coach Scott Nestor noted West as a player that wasn't as known by many Yankees fans who they would by the end of the season because of his impact bat. Time would prove that to be a good prediction.

By the time the season was over, he would rank among the SAL and Renegades franchise leaders in numerous offensive categories and be one of only five players in the South Atlantic League to post a 20-20 season.

West finished the season tied for the Renegades single-season franchise record for Total Bases (190), second in RBIs (75) and hits (109), and third in home runs (20).

He was the first Renegades player to hit at least 15 home runs in a season since 2022, and he also became just the second Renegades player ever to have at least 60 RBIs in a season.

West was able to accomplish his standout season with a swing that produced some of the best exit velocities in the organization. But even more impressive than that was to see the progression he made in his swing decisions throughout the year.

The most notable jump for him in that regard came over the final month of the season.

Through the end of July, West had a 30.5 K% and just a 6.6 BB% with a .285 OBP. However, from the start of August through the end of the season, he cut down his strikeout rate to 27.6% while more than doubling his walk rate to 15.0% with a .349 OBP.

The work that he put in with Nestor throughout the season paid dividends over the final month of the year.

Heading into the offseason West is set to participate in the Arizona Fall League where he will continue to work on improving against some of the other top prospects in Minor League Baseball.

While his 2026 season was one for the Renegades record books he has his eyes set on a bigger prize, and that is continuing his climb to the majors in 2027.