Tag: Andrew Benintendi

Report: Dominic Fletcher has “leg up” on starting in right field for White Sox

White Sox GM Chris Getz said Fletcher is the ChiSox most likely starter in right this year.

Dominic Fletcher, heading into his fifth professional season, is finally looking into a year of regularlity at the Major League level.

The former Diamondbacks outfielder, who played three years for Arkansas in college, was traded to the White Sox over the winter. As spring training starts in earnest this week, Fletcher appears to be the odds-on favorite to take over starting duties in right field for Chicago.

According to White Sox general manger Chris Getz, who once roamed second base for the Southsiders, Fletcher has “a leg up” in the competition for the gig. Oscar Colas and Gavin Sheets are also in the running.

Fletcher slashed .301/.350/.441 in 102 at-bats for the National League champs last year, but was blocked from regular playing time. Getz and the Sox acquired him in January for pitching prospect Cristian Mena. At the Triple-A level with Reno, Fletcher was even better with an on-base percentage at .400 and slugging .500.

If he were to win the job, Chicago would have two former Arkansas outfielders in the starting lineup. Andrew Benintendi, arguably the best player in Diamond Hogs history, is the team’s starting leftfielder.

Throwback Thursday: Andrew Benintendi career as a Diamond Hog

A look back at the career of one of the best Diamond Hogs ever.

Andrew Benintendi is one of the leading bats for the Chicago White Sox, hoping to turn things around after the All-Star Break,

Before his five-year, $75 deal with the White Sox, Benintendi had one of the best individual careers at Arkansas.

The outfielder joined Arkansas after being drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 2013 but declined to sign. As the National High School Player of the Year, he had a lot of hype coming into the program.

And he didn’t disappoint.

As a true freshman, Benintendi was a key player in 61 games, starting in 60 games as an outfielder. He maintained a batting average of .276, hitting eight doubles and scoring 45 runs while driving in 27 runs and led the Hogs in stolen bases with 17.

He was recognized for his outstanding performance by being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, but his sophomore season made him a Razorback legend.

Benintendi won four national Player of the Year awards, including the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy.

He claimed the National Player of the Year by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball. Also, he earned the SEC Male Athlete of the Year title, making him the fourth Arkansas athlete to receive this honor.

He is the first Arkansas baseball player to win both the SEC Player of the Year and National Player of the Year titles, leading the SEC with a .376 batting average and topping the nation with 20 home runs.

In the 81-year history of the conference, he accomplished a feat by becoming the third player to lead the league in both categories. He also set a record as the first Division I player in seven years and the first SEC player in nine years to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a single season.

In 2015, his illustrious Arkansas career came to a close when he was selected No. 7 overall by the Boston Red Sox in the MLB Draft, becoming the third-highest draft pick in school history.

White Sox’ Andrew Benintendi finally has a home run to show for the largest contract in franchise history

A 291-day drought has come to an end.

The White Sox notoriously do not like to spend a ton of money on contracts. In fact, team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf tends to feel at the mercy of his “dumbest” counterparts who do like to shell out a lot of cash.

Which is why it felt somewhat noteworthy last winter when general manager Rick Hahn was able to sign slugging outfielder Andrew Benintendi and his 73 career home runs to a mega-deal (by Chicago standards): 5 years, $75 million. It was the largest contract handed out in franchise history.

Benintendi filled a huge need in the field and Hahn was able to get a seemingly proven commodity on the market. Except that Benintendi’s White Sox tenure has been a bit of a nightmare so far.

In 66 games this season, the outfielder is slashing a career-low .265/.336/.349. Worse, Benintendi hasn’t been able to tap back into his power despite the Sox playing in one of the most homer-friendly ballparks in MLB. Benintendi finally hit his first home run of the season on Friday night in Seattle, snapping a 291-day drought. Naturally it came in one of the tougher stadiums to homer in, because baseball.

ā€œItā€™s definitely nice to see him hit a homer,ā€ Chicago manager Pedro Grifol told reporters. ā€œBut thereā€™s a reason he hasnā€™t hit homers. Iā€™m not going to get into that right now, but itā€™s nice to see him hit one. You want him to get that one out of the way so he can get everybody off his back.ā€

At this rate, the White Sox are paying Benintendi $15 million per year for an average of 2.45 home runs per season ā€” which is obviously a joke but also the exact type of logic you just know Reinsdorf is going to use the next time his general manager wants to offer a free agent their market value.

Anyways, the White Sox (30-41) remain 5.5 games back of the Minnesota Twins for the American League Central lead, because again, baseball.

Notre Dame’s botched OC search brings alleged Reinsdorf quote to mind

Notre Dame is reminding Chicago sports fans of a familiar face.

Right now, Notre Dame fans understandably are miffed at how their program’s offensive coordinator search went down.

By refusing to deal with the $2.8 million buyout in Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig’s contract, Notre Dame showed its hand in what it would and wouldn’t do to fill the position vacated by Tommy Rees.

The Irish ended up promoting from within and gave [autotag]Gerad Parker[/autotag] the job. By then, it was too late to change many Irish fans’ belief that the university’s higher-ups are not serious about bringing another national championship to South Bend.

This drama brings to mind a quote allegedly once uttered by Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. While appearing on Dan Le Batard’s podcast in 2019, former Miami Marlins president David Samson said the following:

“I was 32 years old, just in baseball for my first of 18 years. He said, ā€˜You know what, hereā€™s my best advice to you: Finish in second place every single year. Because your fans will say, ā€œWow, weā€™ve got a shot, weā€™re in it.ā€ But thereā€™s always the carrot left. Thereā€™s always one more step to take.ā€™ “

Reinsdorf denied ever giving this advice, but if he did, it wouldn’t surprise many Bulls and White Sox fans. Especially in recent years, Reinsdorf has been accused of not being serious about winning and instead being focused on saving money. One column by Chicago sports media personality Laurence Holmes published just this week questions Reinsdorf’s motives.

Recent inaction by both the Bulls and White Sox have disillusioned fans beyond belief. A struggling Bulls team was one of only two not to make a move at the NBA’s trade deadline, opting in favor of the continuity preached by the front office. Also, the Bulls have paid the luxury tax only once in franchise history, and they weren’t going to do it again by addressing glaring roster needs last offseason.

While the Sox did give out the richest contract in franchise history in the offseason (a laughable $75 million for Andrew Benintendi), they failed to address holes in right field and at second base. Their other free-agent signee, starting pitcher Mike Clevinger, is under investigation for domestic violence, and they didn’t sign anyone off the scrap heap as insurance in case Clevinger is suspended.

All ranting about Chicago sports aside, is it possible, dare we say likely, that [autotag]Jack Swarbrick[/autotag] and his bosses at Notre Dame are subscribing to a similar philosophy? Are they content to be just good enough and thus string fans along? When you show you’re not willing to spend the money necessary to get to the next level, it’s hard to change the narrative to anything else. Notre Dame’s reputation is set and not in a good way.

To not lure the best available coaching talent when you easily can will not help Notre Dame’s alleged quest to become a national title contender. Eventually, recruits, coaches and fans will see right through what’s really going on, and they’ll realize they’re better off taking their business elsewhere.

Notre Dame might like to bill itself as a school with a premier football program, but it’s not acting like one right now. The sooner it realizes this, the sooner people will stop using the program as leverage or a stepping stone or to a bigger program with more recent success.

Irish fans don’t want to see that carrot dangled in front of them. They want it fed to them, and they want it to taste good. Is there any chance Notre Dame’s administration will allow that to happen anytime soon? Chances are it will not, just like Reinsdorf will not with the fans of his teams.

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Former Razorback gets start in “Field of Dreams” game

The Chicago Cubs will go to former Razorback Drew Smyly on the mound as they face the Cincinnati Reds in the “Field of Dreams” game Thursday night.

Two Major League Baseball clubs will play a game on Thursday night in… Iowa?

The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds will open a three-game series on Thursday in Dyersville, Iowa, with the first game being on the site of the 1989 film “Field of Dreams.”

As the Cubs take the field, they will turn to former Razorback, LHP [autotag]Drew Smyly[/autotag] on the mound to go to battle with the Reds. Smyly, in 14 starts this season, holds a record of 4-6 with a 3.97 ERA and 52 strikeouts over 65.2 innings pitched.

Last season, he became the fifth former Razorback to win a World Series, as he was a member of the Atlanta Braves’ championship club in 2021. He joins [autotag]Andrew Benintendi[/autotag], [autotag]Dallas Keuchel[/autotag], [autotag]Eric Hinske[/autotag], and [autotag]Dick Hughes[/autotag] as those who accomplished that feat.

On the other side, Arkansas will also be represented on the Cincinnati Reds. Second baseman [autotag]Matt Reynolds[/autotag] is currently on the 40-man roster for the Reds, and has recorded three home runs and 18 RBI. Reynolds was a part of Arkansas’ roster from 2010-12, and was a teammate of Smyly’s for one season in 2010.

The Cubs and Reds meet in the “Field of Dreams” game Thursday night at 6:15 p.m. CT on FOX.

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Andrew Benintendi dealt to New York Yankees

After being revered as an important trade piece ahead of the MLB trade deadline, Andrew Benintendi has found a new home.

After spending the first five seasons of his professional career with the Boston Red Sox, former Razorback [autotag]Andrew Benintendi[/autotag] will begin a new chapter with Boston’s most heated rival.

Following Kansas City’s 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the rumors of the New York Yankees acquiring Benintendi had become true and that a trade had been made, sending Benintendi to New York in exchange for three minor league prospects.

Benintendi has been a solid run producer so far this season. In 93 games, Benintendi has hit for an average of .320 with 39 RBI. In the field, he is current fielding a perfect 1.000 with 162 put outs.

His bat is expected to help production at the plate for the Yankees in the place of Joey Gallo, who has shown signs of struggles recently. In the field, he will compliment a championship outfield consisting of Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks.

The trade to New York raised eyebrows, due to the Yankees sharing a division with the Toronto Blue Jays. Canada has a strong policy against unvaccinated individuals, which caused an issue with Benintendi. Benintendi was one of nine Royals players that were moved to the restricted list without pay prior to a series at Toronto earlier this month due to not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

However, that issue has been resolved. Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports has reported that Benintendi has elected to receive the vaccine as part of the trade agreement.

Ironically, Benintendi’s first game as a member of the Yankees will be against his former squad, the Kansas City Royals. The four-game series is set to begin at Yankee Stadium on Thursday at 6:05 p.m. CDT.

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Andrew Benintendi trade grades: Who won the Yankees and Royals deal?

Who won the Yankees and Royals deal?

We’ve got ourselves a deal as the MLB trade deadline nears next week on Aug. 2!

The New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals swung a trade involving ex-Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi, exactly the kind of swap you’d expect from a contending buyer and a rebuilding seller.

It’s a fairly big deal for the Yankees for a couple of reasons, which we’ll get into below as we do our usual take on the deal: Who won and lost this one? Let’s hand out some grades for both teams after the reported deal was announced late Wednesday night after the Yanks’ loss to the New York Mets:

Former Razorback earns All-Star nod

One of the most decorated players to ever wear the Razorback uniform is headed to his first MLB All-Star Game.

It is always a great feeling to get your first one.

Former Arkansas outfielder [autotag]Andrew Benintendi[/autotag] learned Sunday that he will be traveling to Los Angeles for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, which is set to take place on July 19, for the first time in his career.

Benintendi was announced as a reserve during ESPN’s All-Star selection show prior to the Sunday Night Baseball game between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

Benintendi is currently batting .317 for the Kansas City Royals with 98 hits, three home runs, and 35 RBI. He will be the Royals only representation, as catcher Salvador Perez will miss the game due to an injured thumb that has sidelined him since the end of June.

During his two year career at Arkansas from 2014-15, Benintendi became one of the most decorated Razorbacks in history. Some of his awards include: Golden Spikes Award, Dick Howser Trophy, National Player of the Year by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, and was named First Team All-American by a host of publications.

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