One September callup we want for each MLB team

San Diego Padres: Hunter Renfroe

Padres GM A.J. Preller has done an impressive job rebuilding his farm system the past two years after blowing it up to acquire Justin Upton, Wil Myers and Craig Kimbrel. Those moves did not pay off, and the Padres were forced to start from scratch. Preller has lived up to his boy-wonder reputation with the talent he has been able to stockpile so far, but it’s still too early for the Padres to think about calling up their best prospects.

As they play out the string on another losing season, the Padres will have to give Hunter Renfroe another chance at establishing himself as a full-time MLB player. Their first-round pick in 2013 was given every opportunity to cement his status as a key part of the rebuilding efforts this year, but struggled to a .230/.285/.443 line with 20 home runs in 111 games.

Renfroe’s approach at the plate still needs some work, as evidenced by his 28 walks in 435 plate appearances. The raw power is undeniable here, but the 25-year-old has to grow as a hitter if he is going to make the jump from raking at Triple-A to providing consistent production in the big leagues. He is a .319/.349/.587 hitter in his time at Triple-A across two seasons.

The annals of baseball history are littered with big sluggers like Renfroe who tore up the minor leagues but could never take the next step at the highest level. The 2018 season will be a critical year for Renfroe and the Padres.