Rookie Benintendi’s poise impresses Red Sox

O BY FRANK JANSKY/ICON SPORTSWIRE)

Andrew Benintendi was playing college baseball just 16 months ago. Now the rookie left fielder is looking to help rally the Boston Red Sox in their American League Division Series.

The Red Sox trail the Cleveland Indians, 2-0, in the best-of-five series that is scheduled to resume Monday night at Fenway Park in Boston following a rainout Sunday and an off day Saturday.

Though the Red Sox are in a precarious situation as they face elimination, and Benintendi is a 22-year-old rookie left fielder, don’t look him to fold under the pressure. If anything, the seventh overall pick in last year’s amateur draft is likely to rise to the occasion.

“He’s extremely poised,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said. “For a guy that 16 months ago was on the University of Arkansas campus, it’s pretty remarkable.”

Benintendi made the daunting jump from Double-A Portland to the major leagues on Aug. 2, then helped the Red Sox win the AL East title after they finished in last place each of the two previous seasons.

Benintendi hit .295 with two home runs and an .835 OPS in 34 games following his promotion, though he was on the disabled list from Aug. 24-Sept. 12 with a sprained left knee.

“He’s a guy wired to perform in postseason,” Farrell said. “He’s calm. Even before the postseason started he’s been a guy that’s never really panicked, even when he’s been in a disadvantaged count at the plate. His athletic movements are graceful. It’s almost like a window into what his mind is going through. It’s even, it’s under control, and he plays like that.”

Indeed, Benintendi seems the least fit fazed about playing in October.

He hit a home run in first career postseason plate appearance last Wednesday night, lining a 408-foot shot to right-center field in the third inning off Trevor Bauer in the Red Sox’s 5-4 loss in Game 1 at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

At 22 years and 92 days, Benintendi became the youngest Red Sox’ player to hit a postseason home run. Reggie Smith was 22 years and 188 days when he connected in Game 3 of the 1967 World Series off the St. Louis Cardinals’ Nellie Briles.

“It’s the same game,” Benintendi said. “Just more at stake.”

While the Red Sox are obviously focused on trying to prolong this season, they can’t help but be excited about Benintendi what can do over the course of a full season in 2017. He should combine with center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and right fielder Mookie Betts to comprise one of the best outfields in the major leagues.

Bradley and Betts both started in this season’s All-Star Game. The 24-year-old Betts had an MVP-caliber season, batting .318 with 31 home runs, 113 RBI, 26 stolen bases and an .897 OPS in 158 games; 26-year-old Bradley hit .267 with 26 homers and an .835 OPS in 149 games.

“I think everyone is looking forward to, one, if not many years of a very good player, that’s been on a rapid ascent into the big leagues and has handled everything in stride,” Farrell said of Benintendi.