Red Sox Andrew Benintendi on a Mookie Betts trajectory

The Red Sox prospect Andrew Benintendi is following a similar trajectory as Mookie Betts. A look at how Benintendi is matching up with Betts.

The Red Sox have a sparkling outfielder who is certainly in demand in any trade discussions and that is Andrew Benintendi – the heir apparent to the left field position in Boston. The smooth youngster is following a similar trajectory as that of Mookie Betts – a player I wrote about a few years ago and actually had behind schedule for his Boston arrival.

Both players are following a similar trajectory in their Boston careers with Betts being drafted in the fifth round and signed out of high school and Benintendi playing two seasons in the college ranks before becoming a first round pick. In 2013 Benintendi was a 31st round pick by Cincinnati, but did not sign.

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Betts and Benintendi both switched positions out of system necessity. For Betts second base – his normal position – had an incumbent in Boston who was not going anywhere for the rest of the decade – so Betts took his athleticism to center field. Benintendi recently moved to his right and is now the left fielder of the future.

Both players’ skills are bountiful and with Betts – now an All-Star – the term “Five-tool player” is completely accurate, but will Benintendi reach such lofty heights? If you absolutely put credence in the various scouting projections, then he certainly will. Like Betts – it may take some more time to see certain skill sets develop.

Both are superb outfielders with excellent range, ability to close on the ball and accurate arms. Betts would normally be in center field, but with the defensive acumen of Jackie Bradley that will mean right field where he will someday be compared to the defensive wizardry of Dwight Evans – yes, he is that good. Benintendi is already getting acolades for his defense and certainly has well developed defensive skills.

Betts was not a home run hitter in the minors. In 299 games Betts hit 27 home runs and that figure has certainly been surpassed in his Boston career with 43 in 291 games and about as many plate appearances. Benintendi has shown flashes of the power that produced 20 home runs in 65 games at Arkansas, but, as with Betts, it may take a bit longer.

Both have speed, but Betts it is the élite speed with 44 steals in 54 attempts at the major league level and with Benintendi it may have to be more selective with his steal attempts – think Xander Bogaerts – as his numbers in Portland are six steals in 13 attempts. For comparison, Betts had 22 steals in 25 attempts when he played at Portland, but both certainly are skilled on the base paths and put pressure on the defense. Betts may lead the league in steals if the Red Sox decide to turn him loose.

A comparison of hitting by both at Portland shows a disparity with Betts having gone through Eastern League pitching like locus on a grain field as Betts hit .355 in 54 games before going on to torture the International Leagues pitchers with a .335 average. Boston saw enough and moved the then 21-year-old to the big club and a .291 average in his rookie year.

Benintendi has certainly not matched that, but a .300 season is a distinct possibility for the 22-year-old left-hand hitter and there is always the potential for a shift to Pawtucket for the remainder of 2016 – and don’t leave the possibility of Boston out of the baseball picture.