Chowder and Champions
Fansided

Boston Red Sox: Andrew Benintendi deserves to make All-Star roster

By Justin Keene

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 07: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox reacts as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run in the first inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park on June 07, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 07: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox reacts as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run in the first inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park on June 07, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Boston Red Sox Outfielder Andrew Benintendi’s All-Star chances now hinge on the final vote.

The All-Star game rosters were announced over the weekend. The Boston Red Sox have 5 players going to the mid-summer classic, Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, Chris Sale, Craig Kimbrel, and Mitch Moreland. One name surprisingly missing from that list, Andrew Benintendi.

The team with the most wins in baseball should have the most players in the All-Star game. Benintendi is up for the final vote, but he should’ve already been on the roster. He is batting .299 with 14 home runs and 57 RBI. He also is 17 for 18 in stolen base attempts and has an OPS of .909.

Among American League outfielders, Benintendi currently ranks 7th in batting average, 15th in home runs, 6th in RBI, tied for 1st in stolen bases, and 6th in OPS. Those look like All Star numbers to me.

More from Chowder and Champions

Andrew Benintendi has better stats in most major categories than reserves George Springer, Mitch Haniger and Micheal Brantley. He is on pace to have the best year of his young career. Benintendi already has 32 multi-hit games this season, not to mention all of the amazing plays he has made in the outfield thus far.

With a lot of young talent coming up through the league, Benintendi makes a perfect fit on this year’s roster. The American League starters are Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, and Aaron Judge. Trout and Betts are obviously better than Benintendi, but not by a considerable amount.

An argument can be made for either Benintendi or Judge, but that is an argument for another day. Benintendi certainly has about half as many strikeouts, a better batting average, and similar HR and RBI numbers.

Benintendi bats at the top of the lineup and always produces for the Boston Red Sox, one of the top teams in baseball. Benintendi is one of their best players. He hasn’t been to an All Star game yet and 2018 should be his first selection.

The Red Sox outfielder faces some tough competition in the American League Final Vote. Minnesota Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario, Seattle Mariners short stop Jean Segura, Los Angeles Angles short stop Andrelton Simmons and Yankees Designated Hitter Giancarlo Stanton. It sure would be satisfying to see a member of the Red Sox beat out a Yankees player for the last spot on the All-Star team.

Next: Why these 2018 Boston Red Sox are a team you can believe in

Not seeing Benintendi’s name on the roster is unbelievable. If he does not make it in through the final vote I’m sure we can expect to see his name on the all-star roster in years to come. The only thing we can do now is vote for him in the final vote and get him the recognition he deserves. #VoteBenny

Home/Boston Red Sox