Perhaps all you have to know about how high the Red Sox rated David Renfroe is that the $1.4-million signing bonus they gave him (which is going to be spread out over five years) was the second-highest given to a third-round pick in the 2009 draft.
“We fell in love with his athleticism,” said Boston general manger Theo Epstein. “Our scouts did a really thorough job with him as a position player (i.e. shortstop, third base and pitcher) and really fell in love with the kid.
“There’s a lot to like with this prospect. As of (when he was drafted), his highest upside is as a position player and we see a potential impact bat.”
That assessment is noteworthy considering Renfroe’s fastball topped out at between 93 and 95 during his senior year when he pitched for South Panola (Mississippi) High.
His athleticism is underscored by the fact that he quarterbacked one of the top high school football programs in the country — and had committed to play baseball and football at the University of Mississippi before signing with the Red Sox (albeit not until late August which precluded him from playing in a short-season league and which is why he’s beginning this season at Lowell).
He hit .509 as a senior replete with four home runs and 35 RBI.
Renfroe may have delivered a premonition of things to come when, in the 2008 Under Armour/Baseball Factory All-American Game at Wrigley Field, he belted a home run — while using a wood bat.
The son of Laddie Renfroe, who played nine years of professional baseball, David Renfore is considered to have average to above-average power with the potential to add more — especially when he grows into his body (currently he stands 6-3 and weighs 200 pounds).
The “book” on Renfore also says he has a plus arm, a smooth swing, good bat speed, and solid-average power along with a “polished approach to hitting.”
Renfroe’s speed is rated as a shade above average, his range is considered to be above average and he has shown that he has “soft hands.”
And Baseball America rated him as being the best defensive player drafted by Boston.
In addition, Renfroe also is considered to have “baseball smarts” — which means he has a sound knowledge of the game and how it should be played.
A 2009 All-State selection, he hits the ball to all fields and considering his overall athletic ability, has been compared by some scouts to New York Mets’ third baseman David Wright.
Should Renfroe continue to hit for average and power, he might project more as a third baseman than a shortstop — which is a matter the Red Sox will gladly deal with in the future.