Fansided

Top 25 MLB players under 25

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi (16) during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi (16) during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

18. Andrew Benintendi

OF, Boston Red Sox

  • Birthday: July 6, 1994 (Age: 22)
  • Career Statistics: .295/.359/.476, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 16 R, 0.5 WAR
  • 2016 Statistics: .295/.359/.476, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 16 R, 0.5 WAR

Unlike with Buxton, hitting has never been an issue for Andrew Benintendi. Since being selected seventh overall in the 2015 draft, the left-handed hitter has posted a .309/.386/.533 slash across all levels, both minor and major league. He lasted just 185 games in the minors before graduating to Boston.

In a 34-game audition with the Red Sox last season, Benintendi hit .295/.359/.476 with two home runs, and he added another long ball in the ALDS. The fact that Benintendi established himself well enough in the majors’ highest scoring lineup to start in the postseason is a credit to his ability.

Benintendi has a sweet swing and has the ability to spray the ball to all fields. He struck out more than 21 percent of the time with the Red Sox last season, but because he never struck out more than 11.4 percent at any level in the minors, that number is likely to fall as he gets more comfortable with every day experience.

Just 22 years old, Benintendi already faces huge expectations. He’s not only the favorite to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2017, he is also going to be relied on heavily to help replace the production that left the batting order when David Ortiz retired. The campaign got off to a strong start with a three-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day.

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