Andrew Benintendi’s Skill Set Is a Good Fit for the White Sox

Andrew Benintendi presents as a very good table-setter choice for the White Sox. Signed by Chicago’s American League entry on Friday, the no. 17 participant on our 2023 Top 50 Free Agent rankings is an effective match for an underachieving workforce that might use higher on-base percentages close to the highest of its lineup. Whereas batting average-heavy Tim Anderson will presumably stay the leadoff hitter — this regardless of a profession 3.6% stroll charge and .316 OPB — somebody who can constantly get on base in entrance of the thumpers can solely assist.

Benintendi had a greater 2022 season than lots of people understand. In 521 plate appearances break up between the Kansas Metropolis Royals and the New York Yankees, the left-handed-hitting outfielder logged a 122 WRC+ — this regardless of a .399 SLG and solely 5 house runs — which was a mere level decrease than his profession excessive. Matching that wRC+, in addition to his .373 OBP, can be definitely worth the reported five-year, $75 million deal.

Benintendi will flip 29 subsequent July, so there’s a actual chance that his greatest years are forward of him. Cecil Cooper presents as a best-case comp. By means of age 28, Cooper — a left-handed-hitting first baseman who established himself in Boston earlier than enjoying two seasons in Milwaukee — had 73 house runs and a 116 wRC+ (Benintendi at present has 73 house runs and a 109 wRC+.) From age 29 via age 33, Cooper put up a 141 wRC+ with 123 house runs.

Ben Clemens talked about a extra present participant when profiling Benintendi for our free agent rankings. My colleague wrote: “When you’re a glass half full sort, Benintendi is an on-base machine, a youthful model of Brandon Nimmo.” Himself a free agent till re-resigning just lately with the Mets, Nimmo has a .385 OPS over the course of his profession, whereas Benintendi is at .351 and simply logged his aforementioned .373 profession excessive. Reaching Nimmo’s requirements could be a tall order, however Ben’s main level is legitimate: At his greatest, Benintendi is a invaluable hitter close to the highest of any workforce’s lineup. Whereas Nimmo is clearly the higher participant, he’s additionally getting $162 million for eight years; Benintendi’s deal, regardless of being probably the most profitable in franchise historical past, is much extra workforce pleasant.

That this yr’s .304 batting common — like his OBP, a profession excessive — was accompanied by a .352 BABIP is a possible purple flag. His common exit velocity ranked within the 53rd percentile, and whereas Benintendi is certainly not a banjo hitter, he additionally wasn’t ripping the quilt off the ball. His xBA was a pedestrian .273.

A willingness to stroll, and an aversion to happening by the use of the strikeout, are plusses. Benintendi’s 14.8% strikeout charge ranked twenty second greatest out of 130 certified hitters, and his 10% stroll charge was increased than that of Luis Arraez and Steven Kwan, well-regarded left-handed hitters with related energy profiles. Defensively, Benintendi is extra just like Kwan, and never simply because they’re outfielders and Arraez is an infielder. The reigning American League batting champion is extra Jeff Kent than Bill Mazeroski on the defensive facet of the ball, whereas the third-place finisher on this yr’s Rookie of the Yr balloting was awarded a Gold Glove. And whereas Benintendi’s defensive sport has slipped considerably lately — at the least in line with the metrics — he did win a Gold Glove of his personal in 2021 (and, as Crimson Sox followers fondly keep in mind, made a game-saving, diving catch to finish Sport 3 of the 2018 World Sequence). He’s certainly not a legal responsibility on the place. Furthermore, White Sox left fielders ranked second from the underside in DRS at that place within the junior circuit — solely the Seattle Mariners have been worse — so Benintendi represents a transparent improve.

The aforementioned purple flag suggests one other theoretical comp is so as, this one of many worst-case selection. In December 2012, the White Sox signed Jeff Keppinger to a free agent contract, this following a season the place the 32-year-old contact-oriented infielder batted a BABIP-aided .325 with a 128 wRC+ with the Tampa Bay Rays. Keppinger proceeded to bomb on the South Aspect, placing up a 62 wRC+, then fade into oblivion. There may be little motive to consider that Benintendi will observe the same path — he’s each youthful and higher than Keppinger — however on the similar time, it’s even much less probably that he’ll go on to have Cooper’s profession (Scott Cooper, maybe, however not Cecil’s).

When it comes to anticipated efficiency with the bat, a member of the 2005 World Sequence champion White Sox presents as a statistical comp for Bentinendi. In December 2004, 28-year-old Scott Podsednik was acquired through commerce and proceeded to slash .290/.351/.349 in his first season in a Chicago uniform. A left-handed-hitting left fielder with not dissimilar defensive expertise, Podsednik differs from Benintendi in that he was a base-stealer (albeit not a very environment friendly one) and had even much less energy. Even so, it’s straightforward to think about Benintendi batting .290 with a .351 OBP whereas hitting close to the highest of the White Sox order.

One different comp price citing is Masataka Yoshida, whom the Crimson Sox simply signed to a five-year, $90 million contract. Yoshida has put up higher numbers over the course of his profession, however that’s been in NPB. Even so, there’s a related contact-oriented left-handed stroke that comes with a discerning eye and occasional pop — extra in Yoshida’s case, however once more, that’s versus NPB pitching and never MLB arms.

Would the Crimson Sox have been higher served by bringing again their former left fielder, as soon as part of the Benintendi/Betts/Bradley triumvirate, for 5 years and $75 million, versus the 5 years and $90 million they’re giving to a participant who’s one yr older and has constructed his bona fides on one other continent? That’s clearly a moot level. Benintendi goes to the White Sox, the place he guarantees to be a value-add for a workforce that may profit from his ability set. As for what number of extra offseason strikes are wanted — José Abreu’s energy will ideally get replaced — and whether or not the present roster is half full or half empty? Solely time will inform.

Podesdnik as soon as supplied a wanted enhance to a workforce coming off an 83-win season, and a World Sequence ring was his reward. Benintendi including to the one he earned 4 years in the past in Boston is what the White Sox — a workforce coming off of a less-than-their-talent instructed 81-win season — are hoping for, no matter whom Benintendi comps to.