Red Sox: Andrew Benintendi, Brock Holt – Where the Flow Bros go, we all go
By Jon
There is a greater impact to the 2017 Red Sox season for the Flow Bros, Benintendi and Holt, than just a cute friendship name. It goes deeper than that.
Andrew Benintendi broke out during September and October of last season for the Boston Red Sox. His slash line was .295/.359/.476. He got on base, hit for average and slugged at a great rate for a guy like him.
It is also important to mention that Benintendi did this from the 9 hole with not the best protection in the world. He did have Dustin Pedroia behind him most of the time, but imagine him being in the middle of Pedroia and Mookie Betts. Wow, that would be amazing. His production would rise and his opportunities would grow.
On top of the amazing bat in this lineup, his defense wasn’t too shabby either. His main position was left field and that is how it is going to be for the start of the season. He played a stellar left field for the Sox. His fielding percentage during his short stint in the majors last season was .982 compared to the 2016 left field Gold Glove recipient (and arch rival) Brett Gardner‘s .989. Just imagine if he played a full year with that defense he was putting up. The Sox would potentially have three Gold Glove outfielders, wow. He also does a pretty damn great Michael Jackson impression, which gives him major props.
Work it Benny! Work it! If you have another season like you did last year, you will be moon-walking to the 2017 Rookie of the Year award.
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The second man to this bromance of the flow bros is Brock Holt. The versatile utility man is a beloved member of the team and is more valuable than ever before. It is likely that Pablo Sandoval will be our third baseman, leaving Holt on the bench, where he should be. He is not fit to be an everyday player at one specific position. He is at his best when he is moving around.
He’s our safety net and can be relied on to play any position. In his All-Star year of 2015, Holt played a lot at three different positions. He played 55 at second, 27 at third, and 20 in right. He was the man we could trust to fill in gaps and play with passion. In 2016, a lower year numbers wise compared to 2015 due to his concussion, Holt mainly played in left field or third. He had more of a starting role and the Red Sox should not have done that.
The Red Sox can’t make the same mistake they did last year because the bench is even thinner this year. A weaker bench gives the Red Sox the disadvantage when it comes to pinch-hitting, pinch-running and defensive switches. Holt makes our team stronger with him coming off the bench. Who wouldn’t want the opportunity to have a man coming off your bench who could play seven positions, all at very high level?
Next: Watch Andrew Benintendi call his shot against Brian Johnson
The power bat and defense of Benintendi and the reliability and multiple gloves of Holt makes this duo super important to the 2017 Boston Red Sox. If they do their job at the highest level and stay healthy, they will be the most important Red Sox position player duo for the Red Sox. Take us to the promise land, Flow Bros!