The Benintendi Thread

[cp176]

They have AAAA Chris Merrero in Pawtucket. He is an International League All Star and has 16 dingers.

 

He is next in line, I bet.

 

I really hope that you are right. he deserves the next opportunity.

[sk7326]

No, I don't think our situation is dire. Yes, we look thin, but at the moment, our thinness is not hurting us. We are tied for the first wildcard spot and 2 games back for the division lead. The team has been on a nice little run in July. That is not dire.

 

I have no doubt that if Farrell and Dombrowski feel that we need Benintendi, he will be called up. We are not at that point.

 

It is not dire - the question is if you think AA has the best left field option available, when do you do it. The interesting thing is whether Benintendi or Moncada would get the nod - you could argue for both ... the latter either going to LF straight or to 3B and move Shaw.

[Nick]

Was Xander 100% ready? As DD said, each kid is different. We all know that....hell you all have kids and grand kids.

 

If we selected a kid with lack of mental fortitude to withstand slumps and up and downs of professional career, then we did a horrible job of evaluating this kid. Not every kid is Clay Buchholtz.

[cp176]

It is not dire - the question is if you think AA has the best left field option available, when do you do it. The interesting thing is whether Benintendi or Moncada would get the nod - you could argue for both ... the latter either going to LF straight or to 3B and move Shaw.

 

Pleases me to see that I'm not alone in thinking that there is more to this than just a simple Benintendi move. I'll say it one more time, if there is any thought at all to moving Benintendi, I would be very surprised if Moncada was to stay put. I suppose it is possible that the thinking is that Benintendi can make the plays at the ml level and that Moncada is just not ready. I would still be surprised if either was moved right away. That being said, you just never know what might happen from a trade perspective.

[southpaw777]

Moncada will start to try other positions soon. Until then, hes a 2b. Which we dont need with Pedey and Xander. Benintendi is a great option IMO, even just for a cup of coffee. Take it from there.

Chris Marrero is listed as a 1b and is a RHH.. Although Im sure Shaw or Marrero COULD play LF, Id rather have someone who definitely CAN and bats LH.

[Spudboy]

Moncada will start to try other positions soon. Until then, hes a 2b. Which we dont need with Pedey and Xander. Benintendi is a great option IMO, even just for a cup of coffee. Take it from there.

Chris Marrero is listed as a 1b and is a RHH.. Although Im sure Shaw or Marrero COULD play LF, Id rather have someone who definitely CAN and bats LH.

 

Merrero plays OF. In games I have seen, anyway.

[S5Dewey]

What are you thinking? There's no "seniority system" in promoting from the minors to the majors. It's all about filling gaps. If they need an outfielder before they need an infielder they're not going to put off promoting a good outfielder just because there's an infielder "ahead of him".

 

I want to see Moncada getting some reps at third base. That's where our next pressing need is. Does anyone know if he has the arm to play 3B?

[cp176]

What are you thinking? There's no "seniority system" in promoting from the minors to the majors. It's all about filling gaps. If they need an outfielder before they need an infielder they're not going to put off promoting a good outfielder just because there's an infielder "ahead of him".

 

I want to see Moncada getting some reps at third base. That's where our next pressing need is. Does anyone know if he has the arm to play 3B?

 

If this were true, Moncada would already have been playing a different position by now. It is not just about filling gaps at all. It is all about drafting and developing the best available athletes. Moncada is a once in a generation potential athlete. Benintendi is potentially a very good player. There is one hell of a difference.

[S5Dewey]

If this were true, Moncada would already have been playing a different position by now. It is not just about filling gaps at all. It is all about drafting and developing the best available athletes. Moncada is a once in a generation potential athlete. Benintendi is potentially a very good player. There is one hell of a difference.

 

Maybe I wasn't clear. I don't understand why Moncada hasn't been taking reps at a different position already. As Moon said in a different thread, he's about as blocked as one can be at second base. However, if they're going to bring someone up within the next month or so they're going to bring up the guy who's been playing in the OF, not the second baseman to fill the outfield slot, regardless of how good an athlete the second baseman is.

[cp176]

Maybe I wasn't clear. I don't understand why Moncada hasn't been taking reps at a different position already. As Moon said in a different thread, he's about as blocked as one can be at second base. However, if they're going to bring someone up within the next month or so they're going to bring up the guy who's been playing in the OF, not the second baseman to fill the outfield slot, regardless of how good an athlete the second baseman is.

 

They don't operate in a vacuum. They actually have no need to even consider making a Benintendi move at this time. it is only fan yammering when it comes to moving this kid at this time.

[cp176]

Moncada will start to try other positions soon. Until then, hes a 2b. Which we dont need with Pedey and Xander. Benintendi is a great option IMO, even just for a cup of coffee. Take it from there.

Chris Marrero is listed as a 1b and is a RHH.. Although Im sure Shaw or Marrero COULD play LF, Id rather have someone who definitely CAN and bats LH.

 

 

Pretty sad don't you think when you have a kid as talented as Moncada and blocking him is a choice you make.

[S5Dewey]

They don't operate in a vacuum. They actually have no need to even consider making a Benintendi move at this time. it is only fan yammering when it comes to moving this kid at this time.

 

...and THAT I agree with 100%!

[cp176]

...and THAT I agree with 100%!

 

It really is all good. I'll admit it - I am on the Moncada bandwagon. i like Benintendi a great deal but he is built very much like Jerry Remy was in his younger days. I think that he has the potential to be very good. i think that Moncada has the ability to be better than that. I would be stunned if they moved Benitendi and at least didn't do something with Moncada. I understand that Benintendi's path to the big club looks clearer than Moncada's. I guess I just have a problem with that.

[Nick]

Moncada named futures game MVP

 

Let see now. Conversation about Benintendi is happening because Young, Swihart, then Holt got injured. Moncada is #1 rated player. But it's the fault of the fans that no one in the organization has entertained the thought of playing Moncada elsewhere? If Pedey goes down everyone here would be talking about Moncada, irregardless of wheather he's ready or not.

 

Some of you need to get off of your high horse. Maybe you should go start another forum where everyone thinks just like you. Geez..

[mvp 78]

If Pedey goes down, they have Hernandez and Marrero.

 

Start another forum? You've been here 2 months. Learn to deal with the opinions of others.

Edited July 11, 2016 by mvp 78

[Hugh2]

One thing I think I've overlooked is the DD variable. He's been much more inclined than the Sox front offices of the past to rush guys to the majors.

 

Still, you don't see Benintendi is July, he will get at least a few more weeks in AA and if they do plan on bringing him up they should start giving him some reps in LF. Normally you move a guy in AAA but it might make since to do it now because there is a very big wall out in LF in Portland and Benintendi won't get that in Pawtucket.

[kenmeister]

Conversation about Benintendi is happening because Young, Swihart, then Holt got injured.

 

Makes me wonder if LF for the Red Sox is cursed. I'm sure Hanley likes to think so as well.

[Bellhorn04]

Makes me wonder if LF for the Red Sox is cursed. I'm sure Hanley likes to think so as well.

 

Not to mention Ellsbury's little adventure out there with Beltre.

[Hugh2]

Moncada named futures game MVP

 

Let see now. Conversation about Benintendi is happening because Young, Swihart, then Holt got injured. Moncada is #1 rated player. But it's the fault of the fans that no one in the organization has entertained the thought of playing Moncada elsewhere? If Pedey goes down everyone here would be talking about Moncada, irregardless of wheather he's ready or not.

 

Some of you need to get off of your high horse. Maybe you should go start another forum where everyone thinks just like you. Geez..

 

While I've generally been on the side of NOT bringing up Benintendi it wouldn't be completely unprecedented to bring him up based on performance and NOT need. Jacoby Ellsbury flew up through the minors and hit his way onto the team in 07 and DD has more of a history than other recent Sox G.M.s of bringing up top prospects to the majors quickly.

 

Yes we probably wouldn't be talking about it much, and yes I think we should be cautious about rushing him but if the need is there and he is just putting up video game numbers in the minors I think you will see it.

 

Now would just be dumb, but by mid August? I don't think it's completely out of question that it happens.

[Hugh2]

Then again Ellsbury also had one whole year in the minors than Benintendi did, about 100 more at this point. Jacoby was also a whole year older than Andrew, people forget that Benintendi was a draft eligible sophomore with really just a 1 year track record entering the draft. So it's not going to hurt his development to give him some more time in the minors at this point. No one else from that draft class has reached the majors yet.

[Spudboy]

If Pedey goes down, they have Hernandez and Marrero.

 

Start another forum? You've been here 2 months. Learn to deal with the opinions of others.

 

Maybe some here don't realize that there are two guys named Merrero playing for Pawtucket? Devan is the glovey mcnoodlebat SS that can play 3rd and 2nd. His cousin Chris is a left fielder who reportedly has played 1st as well.

 

Glad I was able to clear that up for you all.

[mvp 78]

Chris isn't on the 40 man roster.

[sk7326]

What are you thinking? There's no "seniority system" in promoting from the minors to the majors. It's all about filling gaps. If they need an outfielder before they need an infielder they're not going to put off promoting a good outfielder just because there's an infielder "ahead of him".

 

I want to see Moncada getting some reps at third base. That's where our next pressing need is. Does anyone know if he has the arm to play 3B?

 

He came up as a SS - so almost certainly yes ... and from what i remember when he signed, the arm profiles for a corner OF spot if need be

[Spudboy]

Chris isn't on the 40 man roster.

 

Hmm. "I did not know that".

 

Where is that mayonnaise jar?

[moonslav59]

It's "Marrero" with an "A".

 

This from MLBTR...

 

The Red Sox have already patched up their bullpen by trading for Brad Ziegler, and they’re almost certain to acquire a starting pitcher before the non-waiver trade deadline on August 1 to shore up their shaky rotation. Their offense, meanwhile, is already the best in baseball and they could be even better once the Andrew Benintendi era begins.

 

I’m not certain that the 22-year-old Benintendi will be the first first-rounder (No. 7 overall) from the 2015 Draft to get the call to the big leagues—see Alex Bregman—but he shouldn’t be far behind. Coincidentally, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski recently hinted that Benintendi is close and might not need a stop in Triple-A.

 

Since a promotion to Double-A in mid-May, the left-handed-hitting center fielder has an .844 OPS in 47 games, including a .310 batting average since a 2-for-19 start. He’ll man left field once he arrives in Boston with Brock Holt moving back into his valuable role as a super-utility man.

 

 

[Dojji]

I see no reason not to be aggressive with Benintendi. There's no particular reason it couldn't work.

 

I was skeptical until he sarted producing at the AA level. I consider that to be the hard part of rapidly transitioning to the big leagues, because it's clear that the team thinks that way. He's done the hard part by rapidly adjusting to AA ball and learning to be productive there. With that hurdle cleared there's no particular reason not to start giving him big league work. It's worked out for us with other players, recent notables being not just Ellsbury, but also Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson, both of whom quickly also adapted to the big leagues and played at at least an adequate level for us for the most part.

[Jack Flap]

Now would just be dumb, but by mid August? I don't think it's completely out of question that it happens.

 

This is basically how I see it. I'd be kind of surprised to see him in July (though I suppose anything could happen), but sometime after the deadline would be a different story. Hopefully the injury to Holt isn't too serious...he and Brentz should be able to hold down the fort for a few weeks and buy Beni some time.

[southpaw777]

Pretty sad don't you think when you have a kid as talented as Moncada and blocking him is a choice you make.

 

He needs to work at other positions before they bring him up. He was a 2b when they got him. Hes needs to get used to the professional schedule, and everything else MLB before they throw him in another position. The organization has already said he will start to be used at other positions. They didnt want to throw too much at him since hes only been here a short time.

I think thats a smart move. Hes hardly "blocked" when looking at the big picture.

[SoxnCycles]

He needs to work at other positions before they bring him up. He was a 2b when they got him. Hes needs to get used to the professional schedule, and everything else MLB before they throw him in another position. The organization has already said he will start to be used at other positions. They didnt want to throw too much at him since hes only been here a short time.

I think thats a smart move. Hes hardly "blocked" when looking at the big picture.

 

Yup, the kid is 21. I don't see the need to rush.

He'll get his chance.

[mvp 78]

I see no reason not to be aggressive with Benintendi. There's no particular reason it couldn't work.

 

I was skeptical until he sarted producing at the AA level. I consider that to be the hard part of rapidly transitioning to the big leagues, because it's clear that the team thinks that way. He's done the hard part by rapidly adjusting to AA ball and learning to be productive there. With that hurdle cleared there's no particular reason not to start giving him big league work. It's worked out for us with other players, recent notables being not just Ellsbury, but also Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson, both of whom quickly also adapted to the big leagues and played at at least an adequate level for us for the most part.

 

Ells played 87 games in Pawtucket before being called up.

 

Lowrie played 93 games in Pawtucket before being called up.

 

In Masterson's first big league season after basically skipping AAA he had a 0.1 WAR.