Story by
Ex-Yankees prospect Rob Refsnyder retires at 35 rather than sign with contender
- Story by
- Ex-Yankees prospect Rob Refsnyder retires at 35 rather than sign with contender
Refsnyder retires
A former Yankee prospect is calling it a career.
Rob Refsynder, 35, spent three seasons with the Yankees from 2015-2017 and signed a one-year deal worth $6.25 million with the Mariners last offseason.
A career-worst season in Seattle led to him being released, but rather than sign elsewhere, he opted to pack his bags and end his career early.
Robert Refsnyder played only three seasons with the Yankees but became very useful as a short-side platoon specalist. Getty Images
The righty bat was "real close" to a deal with the Astros before deciding to retire, according to MLB.com .
Advertisement
Refsynder graded out as high as the team's No. 7 prospect in 2015 alongside other high-end talent that came from the Yankees' system, as Luis Severino was their top prospect at the time, followed by future three-time MVP Aaron Judge , Jorge Mateo , Greg Bird and Gary Sanchez .
He played in 94 games for the Yankees, accumulating just 17 RBIs and two home runs for the Bronx Bombers while failing to leave his mark.
Refsnyder was traded to the division rival Toronto Blue Jays during the 2017 season and was a useful player for the next nine years as he bounced between AL East rivals.
His best seasons came as a utility player for the Red Sox spanning four seasons.
Advertisement
Refsnyder hit .307 in 2022 and blasted a career-high 11 home runs to support a .283 AVG in 2024.
Seattle Mariners designated hitter Rob Refsnyder reacts after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. William Liang-Imagn Images
Best known for being a short-side platoon specialist, Refsynder hit .265 with a .787 OPS against lefty pitching in his career, giving teams an incredible value proposition on top of his positional versatility.
The Mariners hoped he could continue to mash lefties, but Refsynder was instead the midst of a career-worst season in Seattle, hitting .140.
Rob Refsnyder played some of his best baseball in four seasons with the Boston Red Sox. Getty Images
He previously floated the idea of retirement and the hope of spending more time with his family back in 2024.
Refsynder is married to his longtime partner, Monica, who swam at the University of Arizona, and they have a son together who was born in 2021.
