Red Sox Journal: Benintendi finds his comfort level

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Unlike Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech and other Red Sox prospects who’ve been traded away in recent years, Andrew Benintendi has been given the chance to blossom with Boston. At age 24, the starting left fielder enters what will be his third full year. (Benintendi played only 34 games with the Red Sox in 2016.)

No longer a rookie or a prospect, there is only one label left to describe him: veteran. [...]

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Unlike Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech and other Red Sox prospects who’ve been traded away in recent years, Andrew Benintendi has been given the chance to blossom with Boston. At age 24, the starting left fielder enters what will be his third full year. (Benintendi played only 34 games with the Red Sox in 2016.)

No longer a rookie or a prospect, there is only one label left to describe him: veteran.

“I don’t think I’m a veteran,” Benintendi said. “I feel like I’m comfortable, I know everybody. I think the good thing about this team that I always say is it feels like I’ve been here longer (than I have) just because of how the guys are and the chemistry we have.”

Looking back, Benintendi is satisfied with how he’s handled adversity with the Red Sox.

“I feel like, if I had to go back, I would change maybe just the way I kind of studied for a pitcher,” Benintendi said. “I’m not a huge studier. But I’ll go in and I’ll look on the computer at certain things. But at that point, I had no idea how to use it, right when I came in. It’s not like I can go back and change that, but I would’ve done that earlier.”

Benintendi played in his eighth game of the spring for the Red Sox on Tuesday, going 0-for-3 to bring his average down to .174.

Chance for Walden

Marcus Walden didn’t have many opportunities at the big-league level in 2018. The right-handed reliever logged 14 2/3 innings in his eight appearances, finishing with a 3.68 ERA, three walks and 14 strikeouts. In his time with Pawtucket, Walden had a 4.96 ERA as he struggled to find his way.

Walden is working to make the major-league roster out of camp with there being no shortage of openings in the bullpen. He’s made one significant adjustment.

“We had a meeting, I might have thrown one bullpen and [pitching coach] Dana [LeVangie] goes, ‘You've got to throw the slider. Slider’s good, slider’s good,’ ” Walden said. “It’s a pitch that I’ve only thrown since last year in spring training.”

Part of Walden’s development of his breaking ball was studying Craig Kimbrel’s breaking ball. The former Red Sox closer throws at a slightly lower arm-slot, and that is what Walden could study.

“I really watched Craig on how he throws his slider, what he does,” Walden said. “I’m not trying to throw the same slider as Craig. We’ve got different arm-angles, different steps, but his focus on where he’s trying to put pitches and where he’s trying to throw his breaking ball. … Being able to watch him and learn from him last year was a big help in what I did in the offseason to prepare to get ready for this year.”

Walden made his fifth appearance of the spring on Tuesday, giving up two walks and an unearned run in his inning of work.

First cuts made

Red Sox prospect Michael Chavis was among Boston’s first rounds of cuts. He was optioned to Pawtucket along with pitchers Josh Taylor, Travis Lakins and Chandler Shepherd.

Right-handed pitcher Denyi Reyes was optioned to Double-A Portland.

Rusney Castillo was reassigned to minor-league camp, along with catcher Austin Rei, infielder Tony Renda and pitchers Mike Shawaryn and Carson Smith.

Price allows 2 runs 

David Price made the start for Boston against the Tigers on Tuesday. He pitched three innings, surrendering two runs on a home run in the third. He also issued two two-out walks but he struck out four in Boston’s 4-3 loss.

Prior to Tuesday’s game, manager Alex Cora announced Chris Sale will see his first Grapefruit League action of the season on Saturday when he starts against the Atlanta Braves.