Andrew Benintendi was supposed to assist push the White Sox’ contending window huge open when he signed the largest contract in staff historical past in 2023.
As a substitute, he discovered himself alongside for the trip because the wheels fell off throughout one of many worst stretches of Sox historical past.
Benintendi has hardly helped forestall the 312 losses which have piled up since he made it to thirty fifth and Shields, falling far in need of the $75 million expectations set below ex-GM Rick Hahn’s tenure.
However the 31-year-old has flashed his former All-Star potential on the plate over the past month, lastly contributing extra than simply his veteran knowledge to a roster full of rookies — and serving to energy an improved squad that perhaps, simply perhaps, can keep away from triple-digit losses for a 3rd straight season.
Benintendi hit his nineteenth house run of the season within the third inning of Wednesday’s sport towards the Rays, which he entered hitting .279/.336/.414 over the previous month with 4 homers and 16 RBI.
That included a torrid .360/.452/.760 stretch over the previous week because the Sox gained 5 of seven video games, protecting their hopes alive of dodging the century mark for losses but once more. They’ll should play roughly .500 ball over their ultimate three weeks to try this.
Not that they’re all that frightened about it, particularly as they run an excellent 20 video games forward of the tempo of final yr’s all-time worst, 121-loss staff.
“Perhaps it’s behind our minds, however probably not,” Benintendi mentioned final month as he began heating up on the plate in Kansas Metropolis. “Particularly coming off final yr, we eclipsed that factor, that quantity already, so I believe we’re simply going to attempt to win as many video games as potential.”
“If it finally ends up you don’t lose 100, and even should you lose it, child steps,” he added.
Benintendi is bound to be taking these steps into the rebuilding future alongside along with his youthful teammates — whether or not basic supervisor Chris Getz likes it or not, until proprietor Jerry Reinsdorf is prepared to eat an enormous chunk of cash.
There wasn’t a whisper of commerce speak round Benintendi on the deadline earlier this summer time due to the $32.2 million remaining on the ultimate two years of his contract by way of 2027.
He’s posted a pedestrian .248/.312/.433 line this yr general with 18 homers, marginally higher than his first two years with the Sox. Benintendi socked 20 dingers final yr, after simply 5 in his first season on the South Facet.
However there aren’t any outfielders knocking on the door from Triple-A Charlotte. The Sox’ prime prospect, outfielder Braden Montgomery, shined this yr at Double-A Birmingham however figures to be at the very least one other yr away from making it to the present.
Getz’ rebuild to date has been powered by infielders Colson Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, Miguel Vargas, plus catchers Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero. And so they’ll have a bevy of beginning pitching prospects to type by way of subsequent spring in Arizona.
That figures to go away Benintendi in line regular taking part in time, both in left discipline the place the previous Gold Glover has misplaced a step, or at designated hitter on a staff that also wants extra energy.
Supervisor Will Venable isn’t complaining.
“Benny’s very constant in all the things that he does. He’s only a presence in our clubhouse, a presence on the sector and simply extraordinarily dependable,” Venable mentioned. “And he desires to play. He’s a man that all the time desires to be on the market, and extra of a quiet chief. However watching him simply type of proceed to work on his craft, undergo his ups and downs and proceed to place himself in a great spot to supply for has been superior.”
Mead has six doubles in his final 14 video games.
Montgomery suffered a small fracture in his proper foot when he was hit by a pitch Saturday.
Gonzalez and Meidroth weren’t the headliners within the Garrett Crochet commerce, however each have began carving out roles on the major-league stage.
The Sox gained six video games on their seven-game street journey.
