Hunter Renfroe’s incredible throw reminds Red Sox teammates of Mookie Betts

Hunter Renfroe is no Mookie Betts, but on Wednesday night, the Red Sox right fielder made a play that reminded some of Boston’s former superstar.

With one out in the top of the second, Renfroe made the play of the night. Matt Chapman blasted a pitch from Eduardo Rodriguez over Alex Verdugo’s head in center and looked destined for a triple. But the ball bounced off the wall and rolled to Renfroe, who fired a perfect missile on one hop to third, where Rafael Devers applied the tag on Chapman.

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Xander Bogaerts was supposed to be the cutoff man, but the incredible throw sailed past him. It reminded the shortstop of the play Betts made at Tropicana Field late in the 2019 season, when the former outfielder made a throw from the right-field corner on the warning track to third base without needing a bounce.

“It kind of reminded me a little of that throw, from how far and how accurate,” Bogaerts said. “Obviously JBJ (Jackie Bradley Jr.) made some great players out there, but that was pretty much one that Mookie came into my mind when I saw that play.”

Rodriguez was backing up third on the throw, and pointed to Renfroe with his glove in appreciation after the play. It also reminded the pitcher of Betts.

“I had a guy like that before here that impressed me a lot but I think Renfroe surprised me more because I’ve never seen him play,” Rodriguez said. “I think I faced him in San Diego but I never saw him throwing like that. Every time he’s doing something back there, it seems like he just does something special. …

“Those plays like that, they’re really good to enjoy, especially when you are the guy on the mound.”

The play came as no surprise to Alex Cora, who’s been singing the praises of Renfroe’s underrated defense since spring training. The right fielder, who signed a one-year deal in December, is living up to his manager’s hype. He’s leading all right fielders in defensive runs saved this season, according to FanGraphs.

Cora was especially impressed with Renfroe’s awareness to back up Verdugo, which allowed him to have a shot at the play.

“That’s what he does,” Cora said. “We’ve been talking about his defense since Day 1 in spring training and he finds a way to be where he’s supposed to be. He’s very responsible. It starts in batting practice with his preparation. He saw the play, he got there in time, I saw his throw and I was like, ‘There’s a good chance he’s going to be out.’ He is that good in the outfield.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/33CfqSr