Renfroe revisiting college experience vs. Indians

SAN DIEGO -- Outfielder Hunter Renfroe, the Padres' first-round pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, isn't so far removed from his college days that he couldn't appreciate Friday's exhibition game against the Indians at Fowler Park on the campus of the University of San Diego.

"I thought those days were behind me," Renfroe joked. "But any opportunity presents itself, you want to take advantage of it."

Renfroe, the No. 13 overall pick out of Mississippi State, was one of several players who will begin the season with Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore who will suit up for these games against the Indians.

Lake Elsinore is located about one hour north of San Diego.

Renfroe was hitless in three at-bats this spring as a Minor League extra. He spent the rest of the time in Minor League camp, where he got off to a slow start because of a sore right hamstring.

"I was able to play in six or seven games and finish the spring out well," he said.

The Padres are letting Renfroe essentially skip over Class A Fort Wayne -- he played 18 games there last season -- to test him in the hitter-friendly California League. He's looking forward to the challenge.

"I just want to play every day," he said. "I want to learn the everyday grind and see how I need to do things and where I need to make adjustments."

Renfroe hit .271/.308/.459 in his first 183 professional plate appearances, most of which came at short-season Class A Eugene of the Northwest League.