Andrew Benintendi wasn't really part of the hub-bub when it came to that epic first few weeks by the Red Sox.
By the time April 25 rolled around, he was hitting just .218 with one home run. The slow start wasn't what most expected -- particularly after a top-notch spring training -- but it was masked by the performances of hitters all around him. Mookie Betts was leading off. Hanley Ramirez had started strong. And J.D. Martinez was making the best of first impressions.
That was then. This is now.
While so many have focused their attention on the likes of Betts, Martinez, Mitch Moreland and Xander Bogaerts, Benintendi has emerged into the kind of player who is trending toward All-Star consideration.
The Red Sox left fielder, who was batting leadoff for the fourth time in his young career Monday afternoon, highlighted his team's 8-3 win over the Blue Jays with his seventh three-hit game of the month (and ninth for the season). Included in the display was his seventh home run, marking the first time in Benintendi's career he cleared the left field wall at Fenway Park. (For a complete recap of the Red Sox' 37th win over the season, click here.)
Benny with that oppo power pic.twitter.com/LgyzpqkBrw
— Sox Lunch (@Soxlunch) May 28, 2018While so many have gotten so much attention, it is Benintendi who has been the Red Sox' best hitter over the last 24 days.
Going back to May 5, the lefty hitter is hitting a team-best .370. After the homer and another triple, Benintendi has 14 extra-base hits over that stretch, just one fewer than Martinez (who added to his total with his 17th homer of the season).
Yes, Benintendi has been better than THE Mookie Betts (who has hit .350 with a 1.041 OPS over the three-plus weeks).
- David Price's outing was good enough to keep his trajectory on a positive path. The lefty wasn't pitch-efficient, needing 95 pitches to get through five innings, but he did allow just two runs. His fastball velocity was up a tick, maxing out at 94.5 mph. But unlike the last time Price faced the Blue Jays, when he threw a season-high 10 curveballs, the starter only offered one curve the entire day, relying on his two-seamer and cutter for all but 15 of his pitches.
- Jackie Bradley Jr. may have made the catch of the year.
Just wow. -- pic.twitter.com/WDHBZcOrCw
— Red Sox (@RedSox) May 28, 2018
