Monday, January 9, 2017

Will A Healthy Benintendi Become An Elite Star In 2017?

(Getty Images)
All indications are that Red Sox left-fielder Andrew Benintendi will emerge as a true star in 2017. Most pundits target him as the #1 prospect in MLB—and project him as the next AL Rookie Of The Year. That's a lot of pressure on a kid who won't turn 23 until early July. And yet, the facts suggest he will not disappoint. Before he injured his knee on the base-paths last year, Benintendi was hitting .324 with an .850 OPS in 21 games. He was able to play just 13 more games in 2016—and he ended up hitting .295 with two HRs and an .835 OPS. However, a fully healthy year will likely produce stats more like his start—or even his post-season performance. In the three-game ALDS, Benintendi hit .333 with a HR and 2 RBIs in nine plate appearances. All the metrics point to a breakout season for the kid. He might prove to be the most exciting Boston player to watch this year.