Rob Refsnyder

Robert Daniel Refsnyder (born Kim Jung-tae (김정태), March 26, 1991) is a Korean American professional baseball second baseman and right fielder for the Minnesota Twins organization. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers.

Rob Refsnyder
김정태
Refsnyder with the New York Yankees in 2016
Minnesota Twins
Outfielder / Second baseman
Born: (1991-03-26) March 26, 1991
Seoul, South Korea
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 11, 2015, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Batting average.217
Home runs4
Runs batted in23
Teams

Refsnyder was born in Seoul, South Korea, and adopted by a couple from Southern California when he was five months old. He became a three-sport star at Laguna Hills High School, and enrolled at the University of Arizona, where he played college baseball for the Arizona Wildcats as their right fielder. Winning the 2012 College World Series (CWS) with the Arizona Wildcats baseball team, Refsnyder was named the CWS Most Outstanding Player.

The Yankees selected Refsnyder in the fifth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. They converted him from a right fielder into a second baseman, and he became one of their top prospects. He made his MLB debut in 2015, but did not become a regular for the Yankees. He was traded to the Blue Jays in 2017, and played for the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2018 season. After playing in the minor leagues in 2019, Refsnyder made the Rangers' roster in 2020.

Early life

Refsnyder was born Kim Jung-tae in Seoul, South Korea. When he was five months old, Rob was adopted by Jane and Clint Refsnyder, a couple of German and Irish descent from Laguna Hills, California, through Holt International Children's Services.[1][2][3] Rob became a fan of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, rooting for Vladimir Guerrero.[4] He attended annual Los Angeles Lakers basketball games on Christmas with his father.[1]

Clint, a former college basketball player at Muhlenberg College,[5] never let Rob win at anything, pushing him to compete at his best. Rob did not beat Clint at a pick-up game of basketball until he was 17.[4]

Amateur career

Refsnyder attended Laguna Hills High School in Laguna Hills, California. He played baseball, basketball, and American football at Laguna Hills.[6] He played as a wide receiver and outside linebacker for the football team in his junior year, and as the quarterback in his senior year.[1][7] In his senior season, he was named his division's Offensive Player of the Year for the football team[8] and co-most valuable player for the baseball team.[9] Colleges in the Pacific-10 Conference recruited Refsnyder to play quarterback for their football teams.[6]

Enrolling at the University of Arizona, Refsnyder played college baseball for the Arizona Wildcats baseball team in the Pacific-10 Conference. In his freshman year, in the 2010 season, Refsnyder was an All-Pacific-10 Honorable Mention.[10] After his sophomore season, Refsnyder played collegiate summer baseball for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[11] As a junior during the 2012 Wildcats season, Refsnyder batted .352, leading the Wildcats with six home runs, and recording 63 runs batted in (RBIs) and 12 stolen bases.[6] In the first game of the 2012 College World Series (CWS), Refsnyder hit a home run.[12] He was named the CWS Most Outstanding Player, as Refsnyder batted 10-for-21 (.476) in the 2012 CWS and the Wildcats defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks.[13]

Professional career

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees drafted Refsnyder in the fifth round, with the 187th overall selection, in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. Though a right fielder for Arizona, the Yankees profiled Refsnyder as a second baseman.[12] Refsnyder signed with the Yankees on July 6, receiving a $205,900 signing bonus.[14] He reported to the Charleston RiverDogs of the Class A South Atlantic League, where he made his professional debut on July 10.[15] He batted .241 for Charleston.[16]

Refsnyder with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in 2015

The Yankees assigned Refsnyder to Charleston to start the 2013 season.[16][17] After posting a .370 batting average and a .452 on-base percentage (OBP) in 13 games, Refsnyder was promoted to the Tampa Yankees of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League on April 19.[18] He batted .283 in 117 games for Tampa, hitting six home runs and recording 51 RBIs.[19][20] Between the two levels, he had a .408 OBP and a .404 slugging percentage.[20]

Refsnyder began the 2014 season with the Trenton Thunder of the Class AA Eastern League.[21] With the help of Marcus Thames, the Thunder's hitting coach, Refsnyder made changes to his swing that reduced unnecessary movement, resulting in an increase in his power output.[4][22] He won the Eastern League Player of the Week Award for the week of May 26 – June 1.[23] After batting .342 with six home runs in 60 games for Trenton,[24] including a .430 average in his last 28 games, while also improving his defense at second base, the Yankees promoted Refsnyder to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Class AAA International League on June 10.[25]

After batting .371 with three home runs in his first 19 games with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Yankees' General Manager Brian Cashman described Refsnyder's progress as "pretty impressive", and added that "he's forcing us to pay attention."[26][27] Cashman had Refsnyder play in the outfield to prepare for a possible promotion to the major leagues.[22] Refsnyder finished the season with a .300 average, eight home runs, and 33 RBIs in 77 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.[28]

The Yankees gave Refsnyder an opportunity to compete for a spot with the major league team in 2015,[4] but assigned him to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start the season so that he could continue to work on his defense.[29] After he batted .290 with seven home runs, 17 doubles, and 37 RBIs in 81 games, the Yankees promoted Refsnyder to the major leagues on July 11.[30] With his callup, Refsnyder became the fourth position player in MLB history to be born in South Korea, following Hee-seop Choi, Shin-Soo Choo, and Jung-ho Kang.[31] He made his major league debut on July 11, and recorded his first two hits, including a two-run home run, on July 12.[32] After playing four games, where he batted 2-for-13 (.167), the Yankees optioned Refsnyder to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to activate Carlos Beltrán from the disabled list.[33] He batted .225 in the second half of the RailRiders' season.[34]

Major Leagues
Refsnyder with the Yankees in 2015

The Yankees promoted Refsnyder to New York on September 1, 2015 as part of their September call-ups.[35] Refsnyder played infrequently, with the Yankees initially using José Pirela, until late September,[34] when he began to receive more regular playing time. He ended the regular season with a .302 average, and started for the Yankees in the 2015 American League Wild Card Game, which they lost.[36]

The Yankees began to play Refsnyder as a third baseman during spring training in 2016.[37] The team optioned him to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on March 27.[38] He split his playing time at third base, second base, and right field before the Yankees promoted him to the major leagues on May 17.[39] Following injuries to first baseman Mark Teixeira and Dustin Ackley, the Yankees began to play Refsnyder at first base.[40] He batted .262 in 122 at bats before he was optioned back to the RailRiders on August 11.[41] He was again promoted to the major leagues as a September call-up.[42]

After competing for a role on the Yankees' Opening Day roster for the 2017 season, the Yankees optioned Refsnyder to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for the start of the season.[43] He was designated for assignment on July 19, 2017.[44] Through July 19, Refsnyder had a .135 batting average in 37 at bats for the Yankees and a .312 batting average in 38 games for the RailRiders.[45]

Toronto Blue Jays (2017)

On July 23, 2017, the Yankees traded Refsnyder to the Toronto Blue Jays for Ryan McBroom. The Blue Jays assigned Refsnyder to the Buffalo Bisons of the International League,[46] and promoted him to the major leagues on July 29, when Troy Tulowitzki was placed on the disabled list.[47] He made his debut with the Blue Jays later that day, pinch-running in the ninth inning of a 6–5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.[48] Refsnyder batted .196 in 32 games for Toronto.[49]

Tampa Bay Rays (2018)

On November 20, 2017, the Cleveland Indians claimed Refsnyder from the Blue Jays off of waivers.[49] He competed for a spot on Cleveland's 2018 Opening Day roster, but batted .191 during spring training. The Indians chose Brandon Guyer over Refsnyder,[50] and traded Refsnyder to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations on March 27, 2018.[51] Refsnyder batted ninth as the designated hitter in the Rays' Opening Day batting order.[52] Primarily playing against left-handed pitchers, Refsnyder batted .167 in 40 games before the Rays designated him for assignment on June 19.[53] He elected free agency on November 2, 2018.

Minor leagues (2019)
Refsnyder with the Louisville Bats in 2019

On November 20, 2018, Refsnyder signed a minor-league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, receiving a non-roster invitation to spring training.[54] The Diamondbacks assigned him to the Reno Aces of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League to start the 2019 season. He played one game for Reno, going 0-for-4 with one strikeout, before he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named later on April 7. The Reds assigned him to the Louisville Bats of the International League.[55] Refsnyder batted .315 with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs in 85 games before he was released by the Reds in August.[56]

Texas Rangers (2020)

On December 5, 2019, Refsnyder signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.[57] He made the Rangers' Opening Day roster in 2020.[58] After hitting an underwhelming .200/.265/.233 for the Rangers over 34 plate appearances, including no home runs, Refsnyder was designated for assignment on August 24, 2020.[59] He subsequently elected to become a free agent.[60]

Minnesota Twins (2021)

On November 23, 2020, Refsnyder signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins organization.[61]

Personal life

Refsnyder is supportive of adoption, and hopes to adopt in the future.[3] Refsnyder helped to design a T-shirt with Athletes Brand to raise money for A Kid’s Place, an organization in the Tampa Bay Area that helps foster children.[62]

Refsnyder met his wife, Monica (née Drake), while they were both students at the University of Arizona in 2012.[32] She is an All-American swimmer and competed in the 2008 and 2012 United States Olympic Trials, attempting to qualify for the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics.[5][63] They married in December 2015.[32] Johnny Field, a teammate with the Wildcats, was a groomsman.[64]

See also

References
  1. Waldstein, David (February 5, 2015). "On Deck for the Yankees, From South Korea, Rob Refsnyder". The New York Times. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  2. Rivera, Steve (June 23, 2012). "Long journey a memorable one for Refsnyders". Fox Sports Arizona. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  3. Hartman, Kim (April 9, 2011). "Stereotypes don't trip up Wildcat slugger". Tucson Sentinel. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  4. Haynes, Stephen (August 9, 2014). "Yankees prospect Rob Refsnyder awaits his chance". Newsday. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  5. Coffey, Wayne (February 7, 2015). "He'll make you believe: Rob Refsnyder just may be the Yankees' solution at second base: Refsnyder endures taunts over his Korean background and experts' slights to make it to the Yankees' organization as a fifth-round pick". New York Daily News. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  6. Kussoy, Howie (June 20, 2012). "Robert Refsnyder, Arizona outfielder who was selected in the fifth round in the MLB Draft by the Yankees, is looking forward to starting his career in the Bombers organization". New York Post. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  7. "Lancers routed by the Hawks". Long Beach Press-Telegram. December 6, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2012. (subscription required)
  8. "Molnar, Swigert, Waldron on All-CIF defensive team". Daily Pilot. January 13, 2009. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  9. "Sea Kings honored in league". Daily Pilot. June 30, 2009. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  10. "Sun Devils dominate Pac-10 awards". Fox Sports Arizona. June 4, 2010. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  11. Maclone, Rich (August 10, 2011). "Commodores Stun Wareham With Late Comeback". The Enterprise. Falmouth, Massachusetts. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  12. Borzi, Pat (June 24, 2012). "Another Complete Game Gives Arizona an Edge". The New York Times. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  13. Nyatawa, Jon (June 25, 2012). "Arizona's Refsnyder earns MVP honor". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  14. Gimino, Anthony (July 6, 2012). "Ex-Arizona Wildcat Robert Refsnyder signs with the Yankees". Tucson Citizen. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  15. "Robert Refsnyder begins pro career in Charleston". Live5News.com. July 10, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
  16. "Opening Day Roster Announced: Roster Highlighted by Top Prospects Bird, DePaula and O'Brien; Culver and Bichette Jr. Return". MiLB.com. March 30, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  17. Hansen, Greg (April 7, 2013). "Hansen Sunday Notebook: Hiring Rush in first place comes back to haunt Scott". Arizona Daily Star. Azstarnet.com. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
  18. "Rob Refsnyder Promoted to High-A Tampa". Live5News.com. April 18, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
  19. Michaels, Lawr (February 20, 2014). "Prospect watch: Yankee youth and a pair of Sox". USA Today. Mastersball.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  20. Dykstra, Sam (November 25, 2013). "Sanchez, Turley top Yankees All-Stars: First-rounder Jagielo makes instant impression at hot corner". MiLB.com. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  21. Peruffo, Nick (April 4, 2014). "Thunder's Rob Refsnyder gets tough lesson at second base". The Trentonian. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  22. Harper, John (July 8, 2014). "Yankees minor league prospect Rob Refsnyder has potential – and patience: Refsnyder doesn't sound like a 23-year-old kid on the verge of making it to the big leagues for the first time. Instead he oozes maturity as he speaks about his sudden climb through the Yankees' system". New York Daily News. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  23. Rosario, Bill (June 1, 2014). "Refsnyder and Colon Win Weekly Awards | Eastern League News". Milb.com. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  24. Collins, Donnie (June 11, 2014). "Top second base prospect moves one step closer to bigs, joins RailRiders". The Scranton Times-Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  25. Peruffo, Nick (June 10, 2014). "Rob Refsnyder promoted to Triple-A". The Trentonian. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  26. Lennon, David (July 1, 2014). "Could be time for Brian Cashman to call up Rob Refsnyder". Newsday. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  27. Marchand, Andrew (July 1, 2014). "Cashman: Refsnyder 'rising like a meteor'". ESPN New York. ESPN. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  28. Matthews, Wallace (December 2, 2014). "Source: Yankees cooling on Chase Headley, high on Rob Refsnyder". ESPN New York. ESPN. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  29. Matthews, Wallace (April 2, 2015). "Cashman: Rob Refsnyder not ready". ESPN. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  30. "Yankees to call up prospect Rob Refsnyder". Sports Illustrated. July 11, 2015. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  31. "Yankees call up 2B Rob Refsnyder". Associated Press. July 11, 2015. Archived from the original on July 13, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015. Alt URL
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  33. Kuty, Brendan (July 19, 2015). "Yankees demote Rob Refsnyder, add Carlos Beltran". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  34. Matthews, Wallace (September 24, 2015). "At long last, here's Rob Refsnyder". ESPN. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
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  36. Hatch, Ryan (October 7, 2015). "GM Brian Cashman addresses Rob Refsnyder's bad attitude rumors". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  37. Herrmann, A.J. (February 25, 2016). "Rob Refsnyder to play 3B in camp Thursday: New 2B acquisition Starlin Castro will also get some reps at 3B as well". YES Network. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  38. Hoch, Bryan (March 27, 2016). "Yankees option Refsnyder to Triple-A: Infielder was competing for spot on 25-man roster". Major League Baseball. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
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  40. Martin, Dan (June 10, 2016). "How Rob Refsnyder arose from the curse of Yankees' 1st base". New York Post. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  41. Kuty, Brendan (August 24, 2017). "Rob Refsnyder: Here's what I must do to stick with Yankees". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  42. "Yankees call up six – including Luis Severino, Rob Refsnyder – before opening key series vs. Orioles". New York Daily News. September 2, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  43. Kuty, Brendan (March 30, 2017). "Rob Refsnyder's key to making Yankees? A 4-letter word". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  44. Braziller, Zach (July 19, 2017). "Rob Refsnyder is the fallen domino in Yankees' big trade". New York Post. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
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  48. Wolstat, Ryan (July 29, 2017). "Jays' Tulowitzki set for another DL stint". torontosun.com. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  49. "Jays lose Refsnyder to CLE, acquire Ngoepe". TSN.ca. November 20, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  50. Hoynes, Paul (March 27, 2018). "Cleveland Indians complete 25-man roster by picking Brandon Guyer over Rob Refsnyder". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  51. Baer, Bill (March 27, 2018). "Rays acquire Rob Refsnyder from Indians". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  52. "Everything you need to know about today's Rays opener". March 29, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  53. Topkin, Marc (June 19, 2018). "Rays DFA Rob Refsnyder to make room for Kevin Kiermaier". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  54. RotoWire Staff (November 23, 2018). "Diamondbacks' Rob Refsnyder: Inks minor-league deal with Arizona". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  55. RotoWire Staff. "Reds' Rob Refsnyder: Traded to Cincinnati". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  56. https://www.nj.com/yankees/2019/11/mlb-rumors-former-yankees-top-prospect-rob-refsnyder-getting-shot-with-rangers-what-it-means.html
  57. "Corey Ragsdale named Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year". MLB.com. December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  58. Grant, Evan (July 22, 2020). "Rangers finalize opening day roster with some surprises, including OF Leody Taveras". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  59. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/08/rangers-designate-rob-refsnyder.html
  60. "Rob Refsnyder Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  61. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/12/twins-sign-rob-refsnyder-glenn-sparkman-luke-farrell.html
  62. Jennings, Chad (September 8, 2016). "Refsnyder reaches out to abandoned kids with Overachieve message". The Journal News. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  63. Hansen, Greg (June 27, 2012). "Swimming: At 16, Borendame full of nerves but says, 'it felt good'". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  64. Gold, Jon (June 23, 2018). "'We're the same two guys:' Ex-Wildcats Johnny Field, Robert Refsnyder remain best friends | Tucson Sports". tucson.com. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
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