Andrew Benintendi -- the Invisible Superstar

[Dojji]

I'm sure there's at least a few fans that realize the incredible season Andrew Benintendi is having, but he's being hugely overshadowed in press attention by the obvious guys, Sale, Martinez, Betts.

 

It was only in going through the stats this evening that I realized just how dominant AB was in his own right.

 

Imagine if you will, a LF/CF on pace for roughly 20-25 HR's and 35-40 SB's, hitting just under .300 with an OPS just barely short of .900 while playing lockdown defense in left field and most importantly, remaining healthy.

 

How many teams in this league would a guy like that not be the center of attention and the keystone on which the team's hopes depended?

 

Nope. It's Sale. And Martinez. And Betts. And most people probably think of Bogaerts before they remember Benintendi.

 

I'm not saying this to shout at anyone or accusing anyone of truly overlooking the guy, don't get me wrong. I'm just realizing just how deep and talented this team actually is. We've got a guy on our hands whose career track rather closely resembles that of Bobby Abreu, and on this team he's just that other guy. That's insane.

Edited July 13, 2018 by Dojji

[notin]

I'm sure there's at least a few fans that realize the incredible season Andrew Benintendi is having, but he's being hugely overshadowed in press attention by the obvious guys, Sale, Martinez, Betts.

 

It was only in going through the stats this evening that I realized just how dominant AB was in his own right.

 

Imagine if you will, a LF/CF on pace for roughly 20-25 HR's and 35-40 SB's, hitting just under .300 with an OPS just barely short of .900 while playing lockdown defense in left field and most importantly, remaining healthy.

 

How many teams in this league would a guy like that not be the center of attention and the keystone on which the team's hopes depended?

 

Nope. It's Sale. And Martinez. And Betts. And most people probably think of Bogaerts before they remember Benintendi.

 

I'm not saying this to shout at anyone or accusing anyone of truly overlooking the guy, don't get me wrong. I'm just realizing just how deep and talented this team actually is. We've got a guy on our hands whose career track rather closely resembles that of Bobby Abreu, and on this team he's just that other guy. That's insane.

 

Benintendi has been credited with 3.6 fWAR this year, tied for tenth in MLB with Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, and Manny Machado.

 

And ahead of JD Martinez (3.5)...

[Thunder]

I've loved Beni since the moment he got called up. This thread, however, is really eye opening, so I'll give you credit for that Dojji. The way they've talked about him on the broadcast at times is really polarizing. One night, they make it sound like he's struggling as much as JBJ, then as soon as he gets hot, he's the good looking superstar with the smooth swing. Still, even in those moments I feel like Dave, Remy, and Eck treat him like an after thought. I mean, he is flying below the radar, largely because he's not a flashy guy. There's nothing wrong with that. But let's not have the TV people bash him

[Spudboy]

He is in MLB because of his bat. He was bound to improve. I see him as a .320 in the making.

 

What I like is the improvement of his defense and in particular the maturation of his arm.

[Maxbialystock]

I ain't buying superstar yet. Too young. Still struggles against lefty pitchers. But I agree with almost everything in the OP. Last year was Beni's sophomore slump year, and in it he was 2d on the Sox in total bases, 2d in runs scored, 4th in rbi's, 4th in dingers, 2d in SB's, etc. He is very close to being the proverbial five tool player: hits, hits with power, runs the bases, fields, and throws. He does not actually have a great arm.

 

As Dojji correctly points out, Beni also shows up ready to play every darn day. He is the complete anti-JD Drew.

[oldtimer]

How long is his bereavement leave? Will he play again before the AS Break?

[Emp9]

How long is his bereavement leave? Will he play again before the AS Break?

 

I think it’s a minimum of 3 days. I doubt we see him until after the break.

[Emp9]

I give Beni a lot of credit. I know hitting can be contagious but damn... Betts is a tough act to follow. Its like trying to headline for the Rolling Stones er something.

[sk7326]

It's hard to call someone invisible who made the All Star Final Ballot ... he, Bogaerts, Sale and Betts are all on their way to (or in Betts' case already has) 6 win seasons ... really impressive

[Sox75]

JDM 91 352 71 116 23 1 29 80 36 94 2 1 .330 .392 .648 1.04

Beni 91 350 68 104 25 5 14 57 49 71 17 1 .297 .380 .517 .897

 

Pretty damned good! Beni still rising

[Sox75]

14 HR's already

57 rbi's

17 SB

25 2B's

5 3B's

OPS hovering at .900

68 runs

 

Been saying it since day 1. ALL STAR

[Sox75]

Can you say 30 - 30 club?

My money is down that he gets there.

[Spudboy]

Can you say 30 - 30 club?

My money is down that he gets there.

 

Mookie would be a good bet.

[Dojji]

Beni has a shot if his power improves in the second half. He's def got the speed

[oldtimer]

Beni has a shot if his power improves in the second half. He's def got the speed

 

Beni is hittiing 500 since the AS break. Good thing because some of our killer lineup is a little off. Perhaps the AS game did that to them.

[OH FOY]

Benni has the quickest hands on this team after Betts, and its close.

[Kimmi]

Beni is hittiing 500 since the AS break. Good thing because some of our killer lineup is a little off. Perhaps the AS game did that to them.

 

I read something this morning where Cora said that JD and Betts both said that they think they're in a slump, and Cora just laughed.

 

It goes to show you how good those two are when they go 3 or 4 games without several big hits and everyone, myself included, thinks they're slumping.

[Spudboy]

I read something this morning where Cora said that JD and Betts both said that they think they're in a slump, and Cora just laughed.

 

It goes to show you how good those two are when they go 3 or 4 games without several big hits and everyone, myself included, thinks they're slumping.

 

Hmm. Jackie has been striking out a lot recently.

 

Is that cause for concern?

[moonslav59]

Hmm. Jackie has been striking out a lot recently.

 

Is that cause for concern?

 

JBJ has 80 Ks in 332 PAs (291 ABs).

 

JBJ has 2 Ks in his last 15 PAs and 13 ABs.

 

He has 5 Ks in his last 38 PAs and 34 ABs.

 

He did K 6 times in his previous 21 PAs/17 ABs, but even if you add them to the more recent sample sizes, he's actually improved on his K rate, of late.

 

[S5Dewey]

Hmm. Jackie has been striking out a lot recently.

 

Is that cause for concern?

 

When JBJ stops making catches like he made last night - - - then I'll start to get concerned.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

When JBJ stops making catches like he made last night - - - then I'll start to get concerned.

 

I agree. Devers has been striking out a lot and he doesn't come close to the defense JBJ provides. If one has to be concerned, be concerned about Devers.

[mvp 78]

Well, this Andrew Benintendi post didn't take long to turn into some JBJ/Devers nonsense. Jeez...

[notin]

I agree. Devers has been striking out a lot and he doesn't come close to the defense JBJ provides. If one has to be concerned, be concerned about Devers.

 

JBJ is not in the lineup to hit. Any hitting he gives is a bonus...

[mvp 78]

JBJ is not in the lineup to hit. Any hitting he gives is a bonus...

 

You can't win a 0 - 0 game.

[Jasonbay44]

You can't win a 0 - 0 game.

 

If you score 0 runs, I don't think the #9 hitter is the guy that should receive the blame for that.

[mvp 78]

If you score 0 runs, I don't think the #9 hitter is the guy that should receive the blame for that.

 

Blame Cora for not using the "score more runs" play.

[S5Dewey]

You can't win a 0 - 0 game.

 

You can't lose a 0-0 game.

[Spudboy]

JBJ has 80 Ks in 332 PAs (291 ABs).

 

JBJ has 2 Ks in his last 15 PAs and 13 ABs.

 

He has 5 Ks in his last 38 PAs and 34 ABs.

 

He did K 6 times in his previous 21 PAs/17 ABs, but even if you add them to the more recent sample sizes, he's actually improved on his K rate, of late.

 

 

Sorry moon, I typed the wrong name. I meant Mookie.

[Spudboy]

When JBJ stops making catches like he made last night - - - then I'll start to get concerned.

 

I f***ed up. I meant to type Mookie as I was responding to Kimmi's post about JD and Mookie slumping.

[S5Dewey]

I f***ed up. I meant to type Mookie as I was responding to Kimmi's post about JD and Mookie slumping.

 

It's all good, Spud. I'm a little paranoid after all the negativity posted here regarding JBJ.