The big deadline move the Red Sox made was calling up prospect Andrew Benintendi
Another top prospect reaches in the majors and here's what you need to know about it
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2 min read
You knew Dave Dombrowski was going to make a big move this week. What you didn't know was that it would be internal in nature, and that it would come after the trade deadline had passed. Nonetheless, news leaked late last night that Dombrowski and the Red Sox have summoned top outfield prospect Andrew Benintendi to the majors.
BREAKING: Andrew Benintendi is to meet the Red Sox in Seattle tomorrow, the Herald has learned. https://t.co/LBI2aTrkaR
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) August 2, 2016
Here are the things you need to know about the promotion.
1. Benintendi is good. Real good.
Originally drafted seventh-overall in 2015, Benintendi has skyrocketed through Boston's farm system. Prior to his recall, he'd split the season between High- and Double-A, where he'd hit .312/.378/.523 with nine home runs and 16 stolen bases. Predictably, Benintendi's production has led to impressive prospect-list rankings. MLB.com recently ranked him as the second-best prospect in Boston's system, as well as the seventh-best prospect overall. The reasoning? His well-rounded game that features five average or better tools -- including plus grades for his hit and speed tools. Forecasting Benintendi's future performance, MLB.com wrote that he "projects as a possible .300 hitter with 20 or more homers per year." Not bad.
2. Expect Benintendi to play left.
Although Benintendi has been a center fielder throughout his professional career, he's likely to move to left field in the majors. The Red Sox have been playing Brock Holt and Bryce Brentz there (Chris Young is on the disabled list) and the results have been substandard. Holt fits best as a super-utility type, while Brentz's chances of becoming a lefty masher in the Jonny Gomes mold continue to deteriorate. Benintendi, then, could well provide the Red Sox with a higher ceiling and floor in left field.
3. That's Ben-in-ten-dee.
You know, for those wondering how to pronounce his name and all.
4. Yoan Moncada could be on the way.
Remember how we noted that Benintendi was ranked as Boston's second-best prospect? That's because a feller named Yoan Moncada is also in the system -- and there's reason to think he could join Benintendi in the majors. Foremost, Moncada has hit well this season at the same levels as Benintendi, and also -- per a Dombrowski interview on NESN -- has gotten more out-of-game work at third base, another position where the Red Sox need help. Add in how Dombrowski didn't dismiss the idea of bringing Moncada to the majors this season, and yeah, that's almost certain to happen soon.
5. The Red Sox are in position to win the American League East.
Boston entered Tuesday a game back in the division, and tied with the Blue Jays for the Wild Card spot. (Both are 1.5 games ahead of the Tigers.) The Red Sox would obviously prefer to avoid the Wild Card Game entirely, and moves like this -- and the ones Dombrowski made before the deadline -- should ensure they have their best odds of doing just that.
