The Benintendi Thread

[moonslav59]

You're welcome everybody!

 

While I was joinng the crowd, I changed to recent entries first.

[mvp 78]

You mean I gotta tell the truth on here?

 

It's for the best. I always tell the truth with minimal snark.

[mvp 78]

While I was joinng the crowd, I changed to recent entries first.

 

You are a monster.

[moonslav59]

You are a monster.

 

Yeah, a scah-weee one!

[S5Dewey]

You mean I gotta tell the truth on here?

 

This is the internet. Everyone tells the truth here... don't they?

[Nick]

And half of you wanted Benintendi to play AAA......why waste his talent?

[Bellhorn04]

And half of you wanted Benintendi to play AAA......why waste his talent?

 

People just didn't realize how advanced he is. I didn't either, to tell the truth.

[Nick]

Benintendi was the consolation prize for coming in last in 2014.....

[moonslav59]

And half of you wanted Benintendi to play AAA......why waste his talent?

 

Because it's "protocol", silly!

[vjcsmoke]

What need? The offense has overall been fine. How is bringing up Benintendi going to help fix the pitching staff, which is the real issue?

 

Are you prepared to live with the kid struggling after he comes up? In the midst of a pennant race? In Boston? Because odds are that's what's going to happen. Bogaerts did okay for the 20 or so games he played in 2013, but struggled mightily in 2014. He started figuring it out near the end of that season. JBJ (who's career path was very similar to Benintendi's to date) issues are well documented. Betts did fine, but he also came up to a last place club; no pressure. Benintendi projects to be a good player, but he is not Trout or Harper.

 

Frankly, I think the professionals who see the kid every day are in the best position re. deciding when he is ready.

 

LOL, all the worries were unfounded. AB is blistering the ball at a .500+ avg and 1.000+ OPS.

 

The Red Sox made the right call. What was the risk really. Burn one of AB's options and then send him down if he's not ready?

 

But he's been more than ready. Andrew has been a shot in the arm for this offense!

 

Really an amazing young outfield that the Red Sox now have with AB in left, Bradly in center, and Betts in right.

 

The Red Sox now have 4 killer B's! Benitendi, Bradly, Betts, and Bogaerts!

 

Historically, the Red Sox offense probably hasn't been this young and talented since the '78 lineup outfield of Rice, Lynn, and Evans!

[moonslav59]

LOL, all the worries were unfounded. AB is blistering the ball at a .500+ avg and 1.000+ OPS.

 

The Red Sox made the right call. What was the risk really. Burn one of AB's options and then send him down if he's not ready?

 

But he's been more than ready. Andrew has been a shot in the arm for this offense!

 

Really an amazing young outfield that the Red Sox now have with AB in left, Bradly in center, and Betts in right.

 

The Red Sox now have 4 killer B's! Benitendi, Bradly, Betts, and Bogaerts!

 

Historically, the Red Sox offense probably hasn't been this young and talented since the '78 lineup outfield of Rice, Lynn, and Evans!

 

It's early yet, but the potential is there.

 

(I think you meant the 1975 OF. That was when they were youngest.)

[moonslav59]

1975 Red Sox OF

 

LF Jim Rice (22) .309 22 102 .350/.491/.841 (128 OPS+)

 

CF Fred Lynn (23) .331 21 105 .401/.566/.967 (161)

 

RF Dwight Evans (23) .274 13 56 .353/456/.809 (120)

 

 

1978, they did all come together after some dips from 76 to 77:

 

Rice .315 46 139 (157 OPS+)

Lynn .298 22 82 (133)

Evans .247 24 63 (109)

 

Betts & JBJ have OPS+'s of 130 and 131. Beni is off to a roaring start. Just missed his first HR.

 

 

 

[a700hitter]

The kid is a player. He does everything well, but I haven't noticed his throwing arm yet.

[a700hitter]

Wait and be amazed.

The kid almost had one tonight. He hits the ball to all fields. And the ball does jump off his bat. He is exciting to watch.

[moonslav59]

The kid is a player. He does everything well, but I haven't noticed his throwing arm yet.

 

He's the baseball equivalent of a gym rat.

 

I think he's called a 4 tool player (not 5) due to just an average arm.

[southpaw777]

Benintendi is a good outfielder and is insurance should any of our outfielders need a rest or get hurt. In addition, he looked good enough hitting to be called up. Betts, Pedroia and Bogaerts all face right handed pitching, so why not get Benintendi regular reps against right and left handers unless and until he shows he can't handle it. He's only had 7 AB's in the majors and lots of guys are claiming it is a mistake to call him up. Have a little patience and give the kid a break.

 

Maybe you read my post wrong, but ive been supporting the move the whole time, as well as Benintendi himself. My post was me complaining about Farrell and his not playing Benni everyday....

[southpaw777]

The definition of "thought he was ready" almost always includes AAA experience with very few exceptions. Can you name any? I agree they hoped he could improve the team, and maybe help get to the playoffs, but the risk--hence my use of the word desperation--is that he would not be ready, would flounder (see JBJ), and would go back to the minors and maybe take longer to get to Boston.

 

ALL the scouts and coaches told DD that this kid was ready, both mentally and physically for the show. Some of you act as if EVERY kid takes, or should take the same path to the majors.

Reeks of desperation is such a comical opinion in this situation. If you watched this kid play or followed him you wouldnt be questioning this move. He was just different from a lot of the players you watch. He had that "It". Hes a ballplayer.

I dont hype many prospects, but when they signed this kid I thought it wouldnt be very long before he was here. Im not surprised hes here and is looking pretty good so far. Like he belongs here.

[cp176]

ALL the scouts and coaches told DD that this kid was ready, both mentally and physically for the show. Some of you act as if EVERY kid takes, or should take the same path to the majors.

Reeks of desperation is such a comical opinion in this situation. If you watched this kid play or followed him you wouldnt be questioning this move. He was just different from a lot of the players you watch. He had that "It". Hes a ballplayer.

I dont hype many prospects, but when they signed this kid I thought it wouldnt be very long before he was here. Im not surprised hes here and is looking pretty good so far. Like he belongs here.

 

You're right. There is no one path or prescribed route for all prospects to follow to get to the big leagues. I don't think that I have seen one move made by DD to this point that I feel shows desperation. We might not all agree with the moves he has made. It would be unusual in Boston if we did. I don't think that our future is in jeopardy because he has traded away a couple of "prospects". I think that we are in good hands. Benintendi provides a definite upgrade. We all saw it coming. For some it just came a month early I guess. Merry Christmas in August I say.

[oldtimer]

You're right. There is no one path or prescribed route for all prospects to follow to get to the big leagues. I don't think that I have seen one move made by DD to this point that I feel shows desperation. We might not all agree with the moves he has made. It would be unusual in Boston if we did. I don't think that our future is in jeopardy because he has traded away a couple of "prospects". I think that we are in good hands. Benintendi provides a definite upgrade. We all saw it coming. For some it just came a month early I guess. Merry Christmas in August I say.

 

I don't think we all saw it coming with this kid. Many on the sight wanted to wait for him getting 100 ab's in AAA and were fine letting the team play Holt and Brentz in left field until Beni was READY. I am pleased that DD, the managers and coaches were smart enough to bring him up. Even earlier would have suited me since we definitely needed help in the outfield.

[User Name]

Hilariously, this is exactly what Mets fans were saying about Michael Conforto last year. Rushing kids ends up being very damaging in a lot of cases. But all of the Talksox talent evaluators know better, so I'll trust your judgement.

[Nick]

Hilariously, this is exactly what Mets fans were saying about Michael Conforto last year. Rushing kids ends up being very damaging in a lot of cases. But all of the Talksox talent evaluators know better, so I'll trust your judgement.

 

He appears to have overcome adversity from time to time as he's progressed in his baseball career. I don't think anyone is naive to think there won't be hiccups. He has the advantage right now with no 'books' on him. I doubt minor league pitchers can exploit his weaknesses but the major league pitchers will and teams will defense him better.

 

You can laugh all you want but this team needed spark from LF with all the injuries. He was a top 10 draft pick. He was college player of the year. Maybe we should cut him slack. I doubt he's going to be a mental case and fade away from baseball if he struggles from time to time. Everyone here compares every player to Clay Buchholtz. There are some mentally tough athletes.

[User Name]

He appears to have overcome adversity from time to time as he's progressed in his baseball career. I don't think anyone is naive to think there won't be hiccups. He has the advantage right now with no 'books' on him. I doubt minor league pitchers can exploit his weaknesses but the major league pitchers will and teams will defense him better.

 

You can laugh all you want but this team needed spark from LF with all the injuries. He was a top 10 draft pick. He was college player of the year. Maybe we should cut him slack. I doubt he's going to be a mental case and fade away from baseball if he struggles from time to time. Everyone here compares every player to Clay Buchholtz. There are some mentally tough athletes.

 

I'm not laughing about it, but I'll be pissed if this ends up damaging the kid's MLB career.

[mvp 78]

Hilariously, this is exactly what Mets fans were saying about Michael Conforto last year. Rushing kids ends up being very damaging in a lot of cases. But all of the Talksox talent evaluators know better, so I'll trust your judgement.

 

Yup, all these talent evaluators that hadn't watched a lick of him just knew he was ready. I was erring on the said of caution as were the professionals at Soxprospects who actually go out and watch the guys play. In all the podcasts I've listened to, none of the scouts were saying that he should be brought up any sooner than September. What do they know? Hey, the unwashed masses were right on this one. Kuddos.

[mvp 78]

The spark this team needs is in the pitching department. All the offense in the world isn't going to save this season. Ortiz, Xander and Pedey all seem to be slowing down. It was to be expected as they couldn't possibly replicate the 1st half offensive numbers. They were due for a regression. It's the pitching staff's turn to try to win a few games.

[Bellhorn04]

The spark this team needs is in the pitching department. All the offense in the world isn't going to save this season. Ortiz, Xander and Pedey all seem to be slowing down. It was to be expected as they couldn't possibly replicate the 1st half offensive numbers. They were due for a regression. It's the pitching staff's turn to try to win a few games.

 

Benintendi was a big contributor in last night's win, though. All contributions in all departments matter.

[Dojji]

Dead on, MVP. Nail on head. Benintendi is a sideshow to the real issues facing the team right now. And we have no bloody idea whether calling him up this early is a good idea. Probably won't have one until the middle of next year in fact.

 

Don't throw a shoulder patting yourselves on the back guys. The sample we've seen from Beni is literally nothing. No meaningful evidence can be drawn from Beni's performance until pitchers start seeing him a second and third time. How many guys is it now where we get all exuberant about the first handful of performances and then less than a month later, it's a full 100% consensus that the guy "****ing sucks." Hint: it's quite a few.

Edited August 10, 2016 by Dojji

[mvp 78]

Benintendi was a big contributor in last night's win, though. All contributions in all departments matter.

 

Don't get me wrong, he's an absolute joy to watch. If he's here, he should be playing everyday. I just don't think the #9 hitter is going to get you the pennant.

[Bellhorn04]

Dead on, MVP. Nail on head. Benintendi is a sideshow to the real issues facing the team right now.

 

The real issue has been losing too many games, some because of the offense and some because of the pitching.

[Bellhorn04]

Don't get me wrong, he's an absolute joy to watch. If he's here, he should be playing everyday. I just don't think the #9 hitter is going to get you the pennant.

 

Like I say it all helps. We're not far from being a playoff contender.

[Dojji]

The real issue has been losing too many games, some because of the offense and some because of the pitching.

 

Then the problem is the run differential. Next question: You have an all-world offense and a mediocre pitching staff. Which area is the best one to try to "improve" to increase run differential? Where are you likely to be able to manage real improvements with the greatest efficienty (hint: it isn't the offense)