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Boston Red Sox 100 game Report Card: Grading a World Series contender

By Gio Rivera

TORONTO, ON - MAY 12: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by J.D. Martinez #28 after scoring a run in the third inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 12, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 12: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by J.D. Martinez #28 after scoring a run in the third inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 12, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images) /

Andrew Benintendi and Xander Bogaerts (The other reliant outfielder and comeback player)

It’s incredibly hard to believe that this guy was in college just three years ago. Taken with the seventh overall draft selection, Andrew Benintendi had high promise. I mean the guy was named the SEC Player of the Year. The first player to do so in Arkansas baseball program history.

Then, just a little over a year later, Benintendi’s making his major league debut in Seattle. Much like Mookie Betts, Benintendi has experienced little to no setbacks since being promoted to the major league level. There were the critics bashing Benintendi for his size in weight. Months later and those comments were officially banished.

It took little to no time for Benintendi to find his place with this team. His first full season in the big leagues showed Boston that they’ve got a promising every day talent with star potential. 20 home runs, 90 runs batted in, and a 151 game season was Benny’s debut. Fast forward just a season later. Andrew Benintendi had a social media campaign in Boston, in efforts to get him into the All-Star game. Not to mention, Benintendi is only 24 years of age.

Current stats: .302 BA/14 HRs/61 RBIs/.386 OBP/.522 SLG/.906 OPS.

To say last season was a down year for Xander Bogaerts would be an understatement. Most notably on the defensive end. Bogaerts appeared to have no glove in his hand at times when out there, committing a career high 17 errors. However this season is different. All’s gone well thus far for Boston’s shortstop. He’s also been a clutch bat. Bogaerts has had his fair share of memorable moments this season. For example, the 96′ Expos record.

Against the Royals back in March, Boagerts hit Boston’s sixth grand slam at the time. That tied the 1996 Montreal Expos record for most in MLB history before May 1st.

Plus you wanna talk legendary discussion? Xander Bogaerts currently leads baseball with 3 grand slams this season. The only player in Boston Red Sox history to hit over 3 in a single season was Babe Ruth! Ruth hit 4 in the 1919 season, almost 100 years ago. It’s been a comeback caliber year for Xander Bogaerts thus far. He’s one of few players remaining from that 2013 World Series team.

Current stats: .280 BA/16 HRs/64 RBIs/.348 OBP/.525 SLG/.872 OPS.

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