👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

2017 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: Hunter Renfroe

In This Article hide

Those who follow prospects in any way at all should be familiar with Hunter Renfroe. He is a former first-round pick and a top 100 overall prospect the last two years. He was also MVP of the Pacific Coast League last season, mashing to the tune of an .893 OPS with 30 HR and 105 RBI. It marked the third out of four minor league seasons in which he totaled at least 20 HR and 75 RBI.

This hardly seems like sleeper material, but the fact is that Renfroe's current ADP may be way too low. Rookies are hard to trust in fantasy drafts, but if you're looking for upside in the power categories, Renfroe may trump some bigger names that are being selected ahead of him.

Editor's note: Be sure to also check out our 2017 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard. It's already loaded up with tons of great rankings articles and draft analysis. Aside from our tiered staff rankings for every position, we also go deep on MLB prospect rankings, impact rookies for 2017, and dynasty/keeper rankings as well. Bookmark the page, and win your drafts.

 

Bargain Hunter?

Minor league stats aside, Renfroe enjoyed his first cup of coffee in the majors toward the tail end of last season. Padres fans enjoyed it quite a bit too, as they saw the Futures All-Star light up big league pitching in his 11-game stint. Renfroe collected 13 hits in 35 at-bats (.370 AVG), while smashing four homers and driving in 14 runs.

He showed good discipline for a slugger as well, striking out just five times. That means his 11.1% HR% and 13.9% K% were almost identical. For perspective, Kris Bryant toted a 5.6% HR% and a 22.0% K% in his MVP 2016 season. Of course, Bryant played much more than 11 games, so it is misleading to make too much of these limited statistics for Renfroe.

Small sample sizes are often the death knell of many a fantasy team. Miguel Sano pulled this trick on us last year and he was an even higher-rated prospect than Renfroe. The difference is that Renfroe isn't swinging for the fences every time, but is more prone to contact. Sano was a .257 hitter in the minors, whereas Renfroe hit .281 over four minor league seasons, including averages of .333 and .306 in 2014 and 2015. Renfroe could stand to take more walks, so leagues that use OBP and/or points leagues that include walks may lower him just a bit in their rankings. This type of upside is hard to ignore, however, given his recent track record and clear path to playing time.

Early data from NFBC rankings indicate that Renfroe is the 55th outfielder taken on average, with an ADP of 236 overall. Players taken just ahead of him include Max Kepler, Randal Grichuk, Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson. Once you get past the first few tiers, there is risk involved with any pick. After a torrid stretch, Kepler fell hard and ended the season hitting .235. Grichuk didn't fare much better, with a .289 OBP and a temporary demotion to the minors at one point. With two full seasons under his belt, Pederson is a .224 hitter with 311 strikeouts.

Renfroe comes with a bit of uncertainty, but he projects for a much higher average than all those players with the potential to match or surpass their power numbers. Chances are that a prospect like Renfroe would be valued much higher if he were playing in a big market rather than San Diego. Renfroe shouldn't just be valued highly in keeper leagues. He has a legitimate chance to be a solid fourth outfielder in re-draft leagues for 2017.


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Washington Commanders

Jeremiyah Love Could Unlock Commanders Offense
Royce Lewis

Twins Reinstate Royce Lewis From Injured List on Tuesday
Adley Rutschman

Activated From Injured List on Tuesday
Nnamdi Madubuike

Doctors Think Nnamdi Madubuike Can Resume his Playing Career
Kayshon Boutte

Not Present for Voluntary Workouts
Tetairoa McMillan

Working on "Power" and Weight/Muscle Gain
Ashton Jeanty

a Top Dynasty Buy Ahead of the NFL Draft?
Tyler Shough

Poised to Get a Wide Receiver Upgrade in the NFL Draft?
Mason Taylor

a Sneaky Buy in Dynasty Leagues as NFL Draft Approaches?
Devin Neal

a Sneaky Buy Ahead of the NFL Draft
Dylan Cease

Continues Strong Start With 12-Strikeout Performance
Ricky Pearsall

Not Yet Ready to Make the WR1 Leap
NFL

Chris Brazzell II a Fringe First-Rounder in Fantasy Rookie Drafts
Raisel Iglesias

Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Shoulder Inflammation
Tory Horton

Is Tory Horton a Sneaky, Low-Cost Buy Before the NFL Draft?
Zach Charbonnet

a Volatile Buy Heading into NFL Draft
NFL

Can Emmett Johnson Sneak into First Round of Rookie Drafts?
NFL

Jonah Coleman Could Be a Steal in Second Round of Rookie Drafts
NFL

Elijah Sarratt Brings Boom-or-Bust Volatility to the Second Round of Rookie Drafts
Jake Sanderson

Records Two Assists in Losing Effort
Brock Faber

Bags Two Goals in Monday's Defeat
Wyatt Johnston

Notches Two Goals in Game 2 Win
Troy Terry

Has Special Playoffs Debut
Dan Vladar

Leads Flyers to Victory With 27-Save Shutout
Yakov Trenin

Suffers Upper-Body Injury in Game 2
Rasmus Sandin

to Miss Start of 2026-27
CJ McCollum

Shines at MSG in Game 2
Donovan Mitchell

Extends 30-Point Streak
Jakob Poeltl

Gets Benched in Second Half
Brandon Ingram

Continues to Struggle
Al Horford

Undecided on Future
Brandin Podziemski

Wants to Stay With Warriors Long-Term
Max Muncy

With Another Two-Homer Game, Becoming Must-Add Off Waiver Wire
Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks "Looking to Trade Back" in This Week's Draft
NFL

Garrett Nussmeier Could Need Surgery Down the Road on his Spine
Kayvon Thibodeaux

Now Unlikely to be Dealt
Anton Harrison

Jaguars Exercise Anton Harrison's Fifth-Year Option
Darnell Wright

Bears Picking Up Fifth-Year Option for Darnell Wright
Sean Tucker

Buccaneers Re-Sign Running Back Sean Tucker
Jordan McLaughlin

Ruled Out for Game 2
Ron Harper Jr.

Probable for Game 2
Austin Reaves

to Remain Out Tuesday
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Still Out Tuesday
Anthony Edwards

Active on Monday Night
Kevin Durant

a Game-Time Decision on Tuesday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Day-to-Day After Being Hit on the Hand on Monday
Mick Abel

Injury Described as "Not Too Serious"
Brendan Donovan

Mariners Place Brendan Donovan on Injured List With Groin Strain
Joel Embiid

is Officially Ruled Out for Game 2
Sonny Gray

Heading to the Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Victor Wembanyama

Wins Defensive Player of the Year
OG Anunoby

is Available to Play for Monday's Game 2
Onyeka Okongwu

is Cleared to Play During Game 2 on Monday
Immanuel Quickley

is Ruled Out for Game 2
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Expected to Miss Around Three Months
Edwin Uceta

Shut Down for 2-3 Weeks; Is he Still Stash-Worthy?
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Doubtful for Game 2
Brad Keller

Will "Probably" Earn First Save Situation in Modified Phillies Bullpen
Roope Hintz

to Miss at Least Two More Games
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Elbow Injury
Ross Johnston

Won't Play in Game 1 Against Oilers
Artem Zub

Considered a Game-Time Decision Monday
Tyler Kleven

Remains Out Monday
Jason Dickinson

a Game-Time Call Monday
Leon Draisaitl

Expected to Return Monday
Tyler Reddick

Earns His Fifth Win of the 2026 Season at Kansas
Kyle Larson

Finishes as the Runner-Up at Kansas
Chase Briscoe

Rallies for A New Career-Best Finish at Kansas
Denny Hamlin

Leads the Most Laps at Kansas but Misses Out on Victory
Christopher Bell

Falls Out of Contention for Kansas Victory on Final Restart
Mike Malott

Scores Third-Round TKO Win
Sonny Gray

Leaves Monday's Start Early With Hamstring Tightness
Gilbert Burns

Retires After UFC Winnipeg Loss
Charles Jourdain

Extends Winning Streak
Mick Abel

Twins Placing Mick Abel on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
Kyler Phillips

Drops Decision At UFC Winnipeg
Mandel Nallo

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss In His UFC Debut
Jai Herbert

Scores First-Round TKO Win
Karine Silva

Gets Dominated at UFC Winnipeg
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Dominates Karine Silva
Deni Avdija

Posts 30-Point Double-Double in Loss
Paolo Banchero

Leads Magic in Game 1 Win
Jalen Duren

Posts Quiet Line in Series Opener
Cade Cunningham

Erupts for 39 Points in Playoff Opener
Logan Cooley

Scores Mammoth's First-Ever Playoff Goal
David Pastrnak

Finishes Game 1 Loss With Three Points
Tage Thompson

Bags Three Points in Postseason Debut
Jake Guentzel

Records Three Assists Sunday
Juraj Slafkovsky

Nets Unique Hat Trick in Playoff Opener
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Hurt in Game 1 Loss
Leon Draisaitl

Could Be Ready for Game 1 Against Ducks
Corbin Carroll

Expected Back Tuesday; Injury Concern Appears Minor
Juan Soto

is on Track to Return Next Homestand
Corbin Carroll

Exits Sunday's Game with Back Tightness
Tarik Skubal

Fans 10 in Win Over Red Sox on Saturday
Raisel Iglesias

Dealing With Shoulder Issue
Kyle Larson

Should not be Underestimated for the Win at Kansas
Denny Hamlin

Can Denny Hamlin Dominate at Kansas Again?
NASCAR

Christoper Bell Should Contend for First Win at Kansas
Tyler Reddick

Fastest in Practice and Qualifying for Kansas Race
Ryan Blaney

Could Score another Top-10 Finish at Kansas
Ty Gibbs

Poised to Continue Hot Streak at Kansas
Chris Buescher

Always Consistent, Has Speed Heading Into Kansas
William Byron

is A Solid DFS Option for Kansas Lineups
Carson Hocevar

Poised for Career-Best Run at Kansas
Chase Briscoe

Is Chase Briscoe Worth Rostering for DFS at Kansas?
Chase Elliott

Is A Favorable DFS Option for Kansas Lineups
Joey Logano

Could Joey Logano be Considered Playable In DFS This Week at Kansas?
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace is A Favorable Driver to Consider for Kansas Lineups
Ross Chastain

Is Ross Chastain A Worthy DFS Option for Kansas?
Brad Keselowski

Could Brad Keselowski be A Sneaky DFS Option for Kansas?
Daniel Suarez

Should DFS Managers Roster Daniel Suarez at Kansas?
Jhoan Duran

Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Mike Malott

A Favorite At UFC Winnipeg
Gilbert Burns

Set For UFC Winnipeg Main Event
Kyler Phillips

Set UFC Winnipeg Co-Main Event
Charles Jourdain

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Jai Herbert

An Underdog At UFC Winnipeg
Mandel Nallo

Set For His UFC Debut
Karine Silva

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Looks To Bounce Back
CFB

Michigan Lands Commitment From Quarterback Kamden Lopati
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF