Benny enjoys consistent rookie year
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Yankees’ Aaron Judge likely has made way too big of a splash for Andrew Benintendi to have a shot at winning the AL Rookie of the Year award. But that’s fine. Though Benintendi was the spring training consensus pick to win the award, he is having himself one fine and solid rookie season. He was 1-for-5 with a run and an RBI in last night’s 8-3 win over Tampa Bay. He has reached base in 16 consecutive games, improving his batting average from a low of .259 on June 3 to .285, with a .362 on-base percentage, .456 slugging percentage, along with 12 homers and 51 RBI.
“There’s no replacement for experience, so the way opposing pitchers have tried to attack him, the adjustments they’ve forced him to make, it’s wrapped up in the words of ‘games played’ and ‘experience,’ ” said manager John Farrell. “He’s had the same demeanor whether it was when he first came up to the postseason, through the first 80-plus games of this season. Very even keeled, very consistent performer.”
Even if Benintendi’s offense does not outshine Judge’s eye-popping numbers, that’s nobody’s loss. At least Benintendi already encountered and dealt with his first stretch of adversity. Eventually, Judge will hit a rough patch. How he responds certainly will be scrutinized by one and all, just like Benintendi’s was back in the middle of May.
“I think (Benintendi’s) probably picked out counts to look to drive the baseball than maybe this time a year ago when he was just getting here,” said Farrell. “So that’s a pretty quick advancement for a guy with just about a year of service time.”
Don’t get the impression that the Sox feel that Benintendi is one and done with his development. There is room for growth in other areas besides hitting a baseball as well as he does.
That includes defense and baserunning.
“I think the one thing that stands out is through his own experience on the basepaths, that’s one area that can continue to advance,” said Farrell. “I think he’ll be able to pick spots where he can steal some bases. And the one area that he continues to make improvement in is just understanding who the baserunner is when we’re on defense. The need to get rid of the ball, the need to put the ball in the air after a ball is either hit off the wall or it’s been a ground ball.
“So the defensive side, how that continues to gain efficiency, those are things that happen gradually through experience despite his abilities to work on it daily.”
Benintendi has nine stolen bases, which is tied for most among major league rookies. His six assists are third among AL rookie outfielders.
Entering last night’s games, Benintendi does trail Judge by a mile in home runs, 29-12, and WAR, 5.5 vs. 1.7.
But Benintendi’s numbers are perfectly good.
And the Red Sox will take them, gladly.