The Benintendi Thread

[Nick]

Beni should get plenty of opportunities vs the Orioles. We may face four right handers. He's as solid as they come at his young age. He's a professional offensively and defensively. His low bar is Shaw's performance this year. His upside I think is higher than Xander's.

[southpaw777]

To me this lead is tenuous. Maybe I've been a Sox fan too long, but to me a 'nice lead' is a lead that's bigger than the number of games we're going to be playing against our next opponent. I want to know that we're going to leave every series and still be in first place. THAT is a nice lead.

 

Maybe the term more breathing room would have been more appropriate for a Sox forum:p

[oldtimer]

To me this lead is tenuous. Maybe I've been a Sox fan too long, but to me a 'nice lead' is a lead that's bigger than the number of games we're going to be playing against our next opponent. I want to know that we're going to leave every series and still be in first place. THAT is a nice lead.

 

 

I too have been a Red Sox fan for a very long time and know how easy it is to lose a lead. Still, I'd much rather be in our position than Baltimore, Toronto or New York. Just before the commencement of the last 23 games, I opined that I would be happy if we could either win or at least split every series going forward. We managed 2 for 3 vs Toronto, lost our series 2 to 1 vs Baltimore but bounced back to sweep 4 from the Yankees. Now we take on a 10 game road trip vs Baltimore, Tampa Bay and the Yankees. I would love to take at least 2 from Baltimore, and win both the Tampa Bay and Yankee series, leaving us with probably a first place standing when we return for the final 3 games at home against Toronto. We have been very fortunate to have Hanley get super hot during this period and have Uehara return to his top form. They are both giving us a tremendous lift at this critical time. Be fun to watch them tonight.

[oldtimer]

We won tonight at Camden Yard and I noted, since this is a Benintendi thread, that he looked good even against left handed pitching. NO easy out since he forces the pitch count up and got one long double off the center field wall. The kid has some pop.

[Spudboy]

We won tonight at Camden Yard and I noted, since this is a Benintendi thread, that he looked good even against left handed pitching. NO easy out since he forces the pitch count up and got one long double off the center field wall. The kid has some pop.

 

I love the fact that he sees so many pitches. 9 in his first AB then 8 in his second AB.

[southpaw777]

The great thing about Beni is there is NO platoon needed. Kid can hit LH or RH pitching.

[Wade Boggs]

The great thing about Beni is there is NO platoon needed. Kid can hit LH or RH pitching.

 

Just think about next year , when he's 100% healthy. They still need to use Young against LHP though. The kid hits everything on the screws. I like him. He is becoming one of my favorite players to watch. It's always good to put pressure on the IF/OF. That's what speed does. The kid was just born to hit.

[Bellhorn04]

That home run last night was a beautiful thing.

[oldtimer]

That home run last night was a beautiful thing.

 

Maybe by next year he will need to shave.

[Bellhorn04]

Maybe by next year he will need to shave.

 

He really does look like a kid.

[Slasher9]

Maybe by next year he will need to shave.

 

lol. thats why he's not a pitcher. dad rule of thumb...teach your son how to throw a curveball when he can shave.

 

that HR last night was a thing of beauty. VETERAN THINKING BY OUR YOUNG LF'ER. ambushed the FIRST pitch when the pitcher is still thinking about the last play.

[moonslav59]

Let's remember the sample size is still very small. Beni is bound to have some moments where he struggles, but it sure is nice to see him off to a great start.

 

Right now, he's tied for 4th on the team with Leon with a 127 OPS+.

(50+ PAs)

165 Ortiz

132 Betts

130 Young

127 Beni + Leon

125 HanRam

121 Bradley

116 Pedey

108 Bogey

100 Hernandez

93 Shaw

92 Rutledge

90 Swihart

87 Holt

80 Brentz

52 Vazquez

47 A Hill

22 Hanigan

 

9 guys at 100 or over is pretty impressive. 8 over 108 is probably even more impressive.

 

Edited September 22, 2016 by moonslav59

[Kimmi]

Maybe by next year he will need to shave.

 

LOL

 

He's so doggone cute!

[Bellhorn04]

LOL

 

He's so doggone cute!

 

He might get mistaken for the bat boy in some other parks.

[Nick]

He said after the game he's been facing too many two strike situations........smart kid....glad we have him for another six years...

 

For me, locking up Betts is the first priority for Sox. Then Bradley Jr. That's an outstanding outfield.

Edited September 22, 2016 by Nick

[oldtimer]

He said after the game he's been facing too many two strike situations........smart kid....glad we have him for another six years...

 

For me, locking up Betts is the first priority for Sox. Then Bradley Jr. That's an outstanding outfield.

 

Beni worked three walks and flied out to right field. Hanley, Shaw and Young did nothing at bat facing the same pitching. This kid appears to be the real thing out there.

[S5Dewey]

Beni worked three walks and flied out to right field. Hanley, Shaw and Young did nothing at bat facing the same pitching. This kid appears to be the real thing out there.

 

The thing that surprises me is that the opposing pitchers haven't found the 'hole' in his swing.... if there is one.

[Spudboy]

The thing that surprises me is that the opposing pitchers haven't found the 'hole' in his swing.... if there is one.

 

I saw him being a little surprised at some paint very early.

 

But that kid is a hitter. He has a lot of polish for such a young player.

 

He's a lot like Betts.

[Oscars]

Given Hanley was a friend of JF I will cut him some slack for having a bad night at the plate.

[moonslav59]

Tiny sample size?

 

Yes.

 

But, Beni is nearly over the 100 PA mark and has climbed to the number 3 slot in OPS on the Sox. The fall of Leon is also a factor.

 

1.039 Papi

.906 Betts

.893 Beni

.869 Ram

.866 Leon

.854 Young

.851 JBJ

.829 Pedey

.796 Bogey

 

.758 Hernandez

.733 Rutledge

.732 Shaw

.723 Holt

.720 Swihart

 

.690 Brentz

.625 Castillo

.584 Vazquez

.567 Hill

.515 Holaday

.513 Moncada

.463 Hanigan

 

 

[Nick]

Tiny sample size?

 

Yes.

 

But, Beni is nearly over the 100 PA mark and has climbed to the number 3 slot in OPS on the Sox.

 

 

I just don't see Beni going on a sustained slump that lasts over a month, something both Xander and Bradley Jr have done. I think he'll become better hitter than both of them.

[oldtimer]

I just don't see Beni going on a sustained slump that lasts over a month, something both Xander and Bradley Jr have done. I think he'll become better hitter than both of them.

 

I think Bogey will get it together. He can handle the inside pitch and perhaps is just worn down and he has to adjust to some new approach they are using on him. Beni will have to be very good to surpass Bogey.

[kenmeister]

I think Bogey will get it together. He can handle the inside pitch and perhaps is just worn down and he has to adjust to some new approach they are using on him. Beni will have to be very good to surpass Bogey.

 

I agree that Bogaerts is worn down. Hopefully he'll be fresh for the playoffs and rake.

[cp176]

I just don't see Beni going on a sustained slump that lasts over a month, something both Xander and Bradley Jr have done. I think he'll become better hitter than both of them.

 

bradleys 25-35 homeruns a year going coupled with a gold glove or two will be what makes him too valuable to trade.

[cp176]

bradleys 25-35 homeruns a year going coupled with a gold glove or two will be what makes him too valuable to trade.

 

 

meant to say going forward - crystal ball says so

[Nick]

meant to say going forward - crystal ball says so

 

I have Bradley Jr behind Mookie and ahead of Xander. No trade.

[moonslav59]

I can see Beni passing JBJ on offense, but JBJ's defense keeps him in front of Beni for now.

 

2017:

1) Betts

2) JBJ

3) Pedey

5) HanRam

6) Bogey

7) Beni (may pass Bogey, if Bogey does not improve his endurance for next season)

8) Young

9) Leon

10) Swihart

11) Shaw/Moncada/Vazquez/ Holt/Pablo/Hernandez

[cp176]

I have Bradley Jr behind Mookie and ahead of Xander. No trade.

 

I like your thinking.

[cp176]

I can see Beni passing JBJ on offense, but JBJ's defense keeps him in front of Beni for now.

 

2017:

1) Betts

2) JBJ

3) Pedey

5) HanRam

6) Bogey

7) Beni (may pass Bogey, if Bogey does not improve his endurance for next season)

8) Young

9) Leon

10) Swihart

11) Shaw/Moncada/Vazquez/ Holt/Pablo/Hernandez

 

Benintendi may very well wind up hitting for a higher average than JBJ. Moncada may very well wind up being more powerful at the plate than JBJ. I like things that I feel confident about. A player who plays everyday, hits 25-35 dingers, north of 75 rbis, and a gold glove. I hope that our young prospects develop the way we want them to. JBJ is there.

[oldtimer]

Benintendi may very well wind up hitting for a higher average than JBJ. Moncada may very well wind up being more powerful at the plate than JBJ. I like things that I feel confident about. A player who plays everyday, hits 25-35 dingers, north of 75 rbis, and a gold glove. I hope that our young prospects develop the way we want them to. JBJ is there.

 

Another very good night for him with a single, double, run scored and a ball hit to the center field wall (a long distance in Yankee Stadium) and a strikeout. The strikeout was on a tough curve by Tommy Layne.