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Boston Red Sox draftee David Renfroe of Batesville signs his long-awaited contract on Monday morning for a $1.4 million signing bonus over five years. With him were his high school baseball coach, Patrick Robey, and mother, Kim Renfroe.
The Panolian photo by Myra Bean
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Renfroe signs with Red Sox
By Myra Bean
David Renfroe held his first interview as a professional baseball player Monday morning, right after he signed his contract for a $1.4 million signing bonus with the Boston Red Sox.
“It’s exciting, overwhelming, and went by so fast,” Renfroe said. “It is an amazing feeling, but I’m glad it is over with.”
At the signing were his mother, Kim, grandparents Mr. and Mrs. David Snellgrove, area scout Danny Watkins, high school baseball coach Patrick Robey and good friend Jamie Hubbard.
His grandfather said he was excited for his grandson.
“Part of me wanted him to go to Ole Miss so I can watch him play. But this is an opportunity he can’t turn down.”
Robey said he was just proud of him.
“This is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for David,” Robey said. “Program-wise, it is good for our program. He is a good role model for the guys to look up to. Not just our program, the whole county is proud for him.”
Monday night Renfroe flew to Ft. Myers, Fla. where he will begin Instructional League and return after two weeks.
He will be home for three weeks and fly back to Ft. Myers for three more weeks. On October 14, he will return home and be finished until March.
The Instructional League will help him get acclimated with the system.
While waiting to come to terms with the Red Sox, Renfroe has been spending his time on the football field, helping out the South Panola football team. Renfroe was the starting quarterback for two years and led the Tigers to two state championship games, winning one. He was part of the 89-1 Tiger dynasty which spanned six years.
The upcoming team this year, which is highlighted in today’s preseason football tab, is “very focused,” according to Renfroe.
“They have one goal in mind and that is win and not lose one game,” he said. “They are hungry for 15 wins. They are opposite our class in they are young in age but old in experience. We were old in age but young in experience.”
Bo-Sox Minor League affiliates include Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA), RI; Portland Sea Dogs (AA), ME; Salem Red Sox (A), VA; Greenville Drive (A), SC; Lowell Spinners (A), MA; and Gulf Coast Red Sox (R), FL.