Red Sox Calling Up Andrew Benintendi
BOSTON (CBS) -- Andrew Benintendi spent most of the day on Monday involved in various different trade rumors.
On Tuesday, he'll be in the big leagues.
The Red Sox are calling up their 2015 first-round pick, president of baseball ops. Dave Dombrowski announced Monday night. Benintendi is making the jump from Double-A Portland and will join the team on their current road trip in Seattle.
"Our people kept coming up and saying they think he can play at the big-league level and he's ready," Dombrowski told reporters on Monday night. "Don't look for him to hit in the middle of the lineup, like he will eventually. But he's a well-rounded player, a good defensive player who can run the bases well."
Benintendi will sit on Tuesday with a lefty on the hill for Seattle, but will make his major league debut on Wednesday night.
"We think he can come up here and contribute to the club and help us win," added Dombrowski. "He has a strong personality and a quality work ethic. If he goes through and adjustment period, which could happen, we think he can handle that."
The 22-year-old Benintendi, Boston's No. 2 prospect and the 7th overall pick just 14 months ago, hit .312 with nine home runs, 31 doubles and 12 triples over 97 games between Single-A Salem and Portland this season. He hit .341 in 34 games for Salem before being promoted to Portland on May 15.
He overcame a slow start to hit .295 with 14 doubles, four triples and eight homers (while striking out just 17 times) in 63 games in Double-A. Bentintendi now becomes the first player called up directly from Double-A since Jackie Bradley Jr. made the leap out of spring training in 2013. Bradley never played at the Triple-A level prior to the call-up, but his major league stay lasted just 12 games before he was demoted.
The Boston brass is now hoping Benintendi can make the jump to the bigs and provide the Red Sox outfield with a late-season jolt, much like Xander Bogaerts gave the team late in the 2013 season. Benintendi is expected to split time in left field with Bryce Brentz, allowing the team to slide Brock Holt back into the super-utility role that fits him so well.
