Red Sox breakout candidates for the 2020 season

BOSTON, MA - JULY 30: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on July 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JULY 30: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run in the fifth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on July 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
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Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox LF Andrew Benintendi:

It feels like every season Andrew Benintendi could have a so called breakout season. Despite having some pretty solid numbers with the Red Sox, he always has a chance to take another step up, similar to how Rafael Devers did last season.

In his first three full seasons in Boston, Benintendi has played 437 games out of a possible 486. He had a .271 batting average in 2017, a .290 average in 2018, and a .266 average in 2019. Benny has combined to hit 49 home runs and 245 runs batted in in those seasons.

In 2019, he was supposed to be the lead-off hitter but ended up moving down the lineup after struggling in that position.

During Spring Training 1.0, Benintendi went 6-for-21 (.286 average) with a home run. He also appeared in 78 simulated games where he batted .244 with 77 hits.

Now at age 25 (soon to be 26 on July 6), he only has a few more seasons to shine before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2023 (assuming he does not sign an extension). He does, however, still have a ton of potential, only going into his fifth season in the majors. Hopefully he can prove that he can take a step in the right direction and be a solid hitter for the 2020 Red Sox.

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