With the seventh overall pick of the 2015 MLB Draft, the Boston Red Sox selected Andrew Benintendi. The 5’10” left fielder bats and throws lefty. If you watch this video it is quite obvious that Boston had a lot to look forward to after they drafted the Arkansas alum.
After 151 minor league games, the Sox called up Andrew Benintendi, their #2 prospect. Beantown Benny left the minor leagues with a .312 avg, 26 stolen bases, 107 runs batted in, and 178 hits (38 doubles, 16 triples, and 20 home runs). On August 2, 2016, Benintendi got the call.
OF Andrew Benintendi was selected to the active major league roster from Double-A Portland. He will wear number 40. pic.twitter.com/dEdqmmSy5V
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 2, 2016
So thankful and humbled for the opportunity to be a part of the @RedSox organization and can't wait to play in front of #RedSoxNation!
— Andrew Benintendi (@asben16) August 3, 2016
After making his debut on August 2nd, Benintendi started for the first time on August 3rd. In the bottom of the third, Benintendi stepped up to the plate for his first at bat of the game. After a first pitch strike, Benintendi sliced the second pitch of the at-bat into left field for his first hit.
You only get one first major-league hit, and @asben16 got his last night! 👏 pic.twitter.com/yGG7Idvd6e
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 4, 2016
3 days later, the Sox faced the Los Angeles Dodgers. Benintendi notched three hits, and his second hit of the game lead to his first RBI.
First career RBI ✅ pic.twitter.com/F4TXK0r6ff
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 8, 2016
On August 9th, the kid made his Fenway Park debut.
Welcome to #FenwayPark @asben16! #RedSox @RedSox pic.twitter.com/8Osw9vnri3
— Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame) August 9, 2016
The Sox took on rival New York Yankees, and Benintendi was batting ninth and playing left field. The rookie started things off very well with the Fenway faithful, he went 3 for 3 and immediately became a crowd favorite, after all, he helped the Sox defeat the Yankees, how could Boston fans not love him?
.@asben16 making himself at home… #RedSoxhttps://t.co/1dBAKcLAn5
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 10, 2016
This past weekend, the Sox wrapped up a series with Detroit. In the final game of the series, the Red Sox lost by a score of 10 to five, but there was one bright spot for the Sox in the series finale.
Touch 'em all, @asben16!
The rookie gets into one and makes this a 10-5 game! #RedSox pic.twitter.com/UyO8AWgFIg
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 21, 2016
.@asben16 blasts No. 1. #RedSoxhttps://t.co/l9uEqGlFaE
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 21, 2016
Last night, Boston opened up a series with the Rays on the road. Benintendi loves showing off his power at the plate, he really does, but he decided that it was time to show Sox fans what he can do with a glove. On a 1-0 count, Tampa Bay outfielder Steven Souza Jr. hit what he thought was a home run to left field. Benintendi had other plans. The rookie ran over to the wall, leaped at just about the 315 sign and brought the baseball back into the yard, preventing two runs from scoring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58UErX-w4QQ
When a rookie is called up for the first time, he usually doesn’t adjust as quickly as Benintendi has, and he usually doesn’t have as big of an impact as Benintendi has. The kid is talented. Boston fans have something to be excited about. Boston has a superstar on their hands, and he’s getting better at just the right time. Benintendi is legit, and he is going to do everything he can to help the Red Sox make it back to the playoffs. While nothing is guaranteed, and nobody kmows what Benintendi could go on to do, there is one thing we can all agree on:
Things are good if you're @asben16. pic.twitter.com/bWffLpBO7z
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 14, 2016
