Royals Keep Busy Offseason Going, Add Hunter Renfroe

By James Kirk

December 21, 2023

Hunter Renfroe Signs with Royals

The Kansas City Royals continued their busy offseason following a disastrous 2023 season by signing former Los Angeles Angels slugger Hunter Renfroe to a one-year, $5.5 million deal. The deal includes a player option for the 2525 season. He joins new signees Will Smith and Michael Wacha at Kaufman Stadium. The Royals finished in last place in the American League Central in 2023, going 56-106 with a run differential of -183. They hope that Renfroe can regain his previous power and help a lineup that has been short on power.

Padres Prospect

Renfroe was originally drafted 13th overall by the San Diego Padres in 2013. He made his major league debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016 as a September call-up. Renfroe made the Opening Day roster as the starting right fielder for the Padres in 2017. He was briefly sent down but ended up finishing the season slashing .231/.284/.467 with 26 home runs. In 2018, he led the Padres with 28 home runs in a mostly platoon role.

On the Move

In December 2019, the Padres traded Renfroe to the Tampa Bay Rays in the deal that brought Tommy Pham and two-time All-Star Jake Cronenworth to San Diego. Renfroe struggled to a .156/.252/.393 slash line in the 60-game 2020 season with eight home runs in 42 games for the Rays. He signed a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox for 2021 and had a nice rebound season, slashing .259/.315/.501 with 31 home runs in 144 games.

After the season, the Red Sox traded Renfroe to the Milwaukee Brewers. During his lone season at Miller Park in 2022, he slashed .255/.315/.492 with 29 home runs. Once again, after the season, he switched addresses, this time via trade to the Angels. In 126 games for the Halos, he slashed .242/.304/.434 with 19 home runs. The Angels waived Renfroe in late August, and the Cincinnati Reds claimed him. He hit .128 in 14 games for the Reds and was released September 21.