Andrew Benintendi, Outfield, New York Yankees

Date of Birth: 7/6/1994
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio
College: University of Arkansas

Andrew Benintendi, outfielder for the New York Yankees, was a top player at the University of Arkansas. In 2015, he was named the SEC Player of the Year and Baseball America's College Player of the Year and he won the Dick Howser Trophy for batting .380 with 19 home runs.

Benintendi was first drafted in 2013 by the Cincinnati Reds but he didn't sign with them. Two years later, he signed with the Boston Red Sox. He played in 54 games in the minor leagues in 2015.

On August 21, 2016, Benintendi hit his first major league triple and his first home run. He played in 34 games with the Red Sox and he finished with a .295 batting average, 31 hits, including 11 doubles, 1 triple, and 2 home runs, and 14 RBIs. Defensively, he played 29 games in left field and 5 games in center field and he made 55 putouts and 1 error. In the postseason, he had 9 at-bats in 3 games and he had 3 hits, including a double and a home run, and 2 RBIs.

Benintendi had a strong first full season in the majors in 2017. He batted .271 with 155 hits, 26 doubles, 20 home runs, 20 stolen bases, 90 RBIs, and 112 strikeouts to 70 walks in 151 games. Defensively, as a left fielder in 123 games, he made 189 putouts and 5 errors. In the postseason, he had 4 hits, including a home run, and 2 RBIs in 16 at-bats in 4 games.

Benintendi had another good season in 2018, batting .290 with 168 hits, 41 doubles, 16 home runs, 21 stolen bases, 87 RBIs, and 106 strikeouts to 71 walks in 148 games. Defensively, as a left fielder in 129 games, he made 201 putouts and 3 errors. In the postseason, he had 15 hits, 4 doubles, and 5 RBIs in 56 at-bats in 14 games. He struck out 13 times and walked 4 times, and he had a .268 batting average.

Benintendi finished the 2019 season with 144 hits, 40 doubles, 68 RBIs, 140 strikeouts to 59 walks, and a .266 batting average in 138 games. Defensively, as a left fielder in 131 games, he made 172 putouts and 2 errors.

Benintendi spent much of the shortened 2020 season on the IL with right rib cage strain. He played in just 14 games and he batted .103.

Benintendi was traded to the Kansas City Royals on February 10, 2021. He spent time on the IL in 2021 with a rib fracture. He finished the season with 136 hits, 27 doubles, 17 home runs, 73 RBIs, 97 strikeouts to 36 walks, and a .276 batting average in 134 games. He won his first Gold Glove as a left fielder in 129 games. He made 225 putouts and 1 error.

The Royals traded Benintendi to the Yankees on July 27, 2022.

Career batting statistics for Benintendi through 2021 include:

• 619 games played
• 638 hits
• 146 doubles
• 333 RBIs
• 497 strikeouts to 257 walks
• .274 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Benintendi as a left fielder through 2021 include:

• 554 games played
• 855 putouts
• 14 errors
• .985 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Andrew Benintendi
ESPN - Andrew Benintendi