During the 2016 MLB Futures Game at Petco Park, Padres prospect Hunter Renfroe said he wasn't sure how much more he had to prove playing in the Pacific Coast League. He was leading the PCL in home runs and RBI at the time and was threatening to make a run at the triple crown.
Padres fans have debated for a while now whether or not the slugging outfielder should be in the Major Leagues by now. On Thursday those thinking he should already be patrolling right field in the East Village in stead of El Paso got a little more fuel for their argument.
Renfroe was named the Pacific Coast League's Most Valuable Player. The last Padres prospect to win that award was catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. back in 1989. In 128 games Renfroe leads all of Triple-A baseball with 68 extra-base hits and 290 total bases. He's second in Triple-A with 29 home runs and 104 RBI.
A first round pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, Renfroe is having easily the best year of his professional career with the Chihuahuas. But, even though the Padres can now expand their roster to 40 players, his arrival with the big league club is still on hold.
El Paso is on the brink of a playoff berth and the Padres have said they want their top prospects (Renfroe, OF Manuel Margo, IF Carlos Asuaje and C Austin Hedges) to stay there and get post-season experience.
