What To Expect: Andrew Benintendi

If you’re looking for which draftee from last year could provide the kind of boost that Kyle Schwarber gave the Cubs and Michael Conforto gave the Mets last year, it’s Andrew Benintendi. He ranked ninth on Baseball America’s Midseason Top 100 Prospects, and he’s being promoted after his best game as a pro. In his final start for Double-A Portland on Sunday, he went 4-for-5 with two home runs and two doubles.

SCOUTING REPORT

Benintendi is a solid-average center fielder who should be above-average in left field—his likely spot on a team that already has Jackie Bradley Jr. in center field and Mookie Betts in right. Playing left field in Fenway Park can be tricky, but his range will almost be wasted thanks to the imposing-but-close wall of the Green Monster. Boston now will have the equivalent of three center fielders in the outfield. But the Red Sox aren’t promoting Benintendi for his glove. He is one of the most polished hitters of the past few drafts. Baseball America’s 2015 College Player of the Year dominated the Southeastern Conference (.376/.488/.717), outhitting notable prospects Alex Bregman and Dansby Swanson that year. Benintendi has kept that up since he became a pro. He is a .312/.392/.540 hitter between stops at short-season Lowell, low Class A Greenville, high Class A Salem and Double-A Portland.

Benintendi’s numbers have also shown very little attrition in his climb. Portland is the first stop where he’s struck out more than he walked, but even then he struck out in 11 percent of plate appearances while walking nine percent of the time. Benintendi hits for average and draws walks while showing potent power. He’s posted a better-than .200 isolated power at every pro stop. Benintendi is short and appears to have an almost slight frame, but he has extremely strong wrists and hands that generate excellent bat speed and power. His above-average speed plays well on the bases as well as in the outfield.

WHAT TO EXPECT

With the Red Sox struggling even after their trade for lefthanded starter Drew Pomeranz, the team needed another jolt as it battles for the American League East title. Benintendi should provide a boost similar to that of a significant trade. Long-term, he’s the rare hitter who has a chance to provide a near .300 average with high on-base percentages and above-average power (15-20 home runs) while stealing 10 bags a year. He’s one of the best hitting prospects in the game.