MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players under 25

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 17: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a fly ball to left field for an out in the fourth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays played on May 17, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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BOSTON, MA – MAY 20: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox hits a two-run home run in the fifth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on May 20, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

12. Andrew Benintendi

Most of the Red Sox top young hitters have aged themselves out of the under-25 age bracket, but left fielder Andrew Benintendi is still only 23. He will continue climbing this list and is already building on last year’s runner-up finish in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. Through 44 games, Benintendi’s numbers are up considerably, even accounting for a very mediocre month of April.

Benintendi packs considerable power from his relatively slight 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame. Like teammate and MVP candidate Mookie Betts, he has a very quick swing and does not strike out often. Benintendi is a well-rounded player with good speed and solid defense. He has played a passable center field at times when Jackie Bradley Jr. has been injured, but is more suited for left field due to his weak arm.

In Benintendi, the Red Sox have yet another 20-20 threat who does not strike out and should hit close to .300. He’s right out of the Betts/Bradley/Bogaerts mold and is the type of player teams dream about being able to draft in the top ten. Benintendi came into the league a very polished prospect and has not had any difficulty adjusting and handling the pressure of playing in Boston.

When teams like the Red Sox, the ones with plenty of extra money to spend on free agents, get their draft picks right as they have in recent years, the rest of the league is in serious trouble.

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