Andrew Benintendi continues as Red Sox leadoff hitter

BOSTON --- The Red Sox split into two teams for Thursday’s intersquad game, and Andrew Benintendi batted leadoff for one of them.

That’s the plan going forward according to manager Ron Roenicke, and it’s one that generally failed in 2019. Benintendi managed a .119/.229/.143 slash line in his first at-bat while serving as the leadoff hitter, striking out 16 times.

Boston elected to flip-flop the top two hitters in a lineup that mashed its way to a 2018 [...]

BOSTON --- The Red Sox split into two teams for Thursday’s intersquad game, and Andrew Benintendi batted leadoff for one of them.

That’s the plan going forward according to manager Ron Roenicke, and it’s one that generally failed in 2019. Benintendi managed a .119/.229/.143 slash line in his first at-bat while serving as the leadoff hitter, striking out 16 times.

Boston elected to flip-flop the top two hitters in a lineup that mashed its way to a 2018 World Series title. Mookie Betts dropped to the No. 2 spot in an attempt to create more run-producing opportunities for the reigning American League Most Valuable Player. The Red Sox offense often failed to fire instead, dropping well off the historic pace it set the previous season.

"I think that’s kind of what we talked about in spring training," Roenicke said. "In a lefty-righty situation we’ll kind of have to figure that out because of the three left-handed outfielders we have."

Kevin Pillar is almost certain to play against left-handed pitching and J.D. Martinez could be pressed into left field or right field. That would leave one spot for Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr. or Alex Verdugo. Benintendi is ready to start fresh in 2020 and return to what seemed to be the career track of an impact regular.

"For me, I would say it doesn’t really matter once you get that first at bat out of the way," Benintendi said. "I guess what I can learn from it is just getting into the dugout quicker and getting all my stuff on so I can get out on deck and watch the pitcher.

"I have kind of a routine when I’m on deck that I go through – watching pitches and things like that. I think obviously this time around it will be a lot better than it was in the past."

Benintendi hit 20 home runs and stole 20 bases in 2017, his first full season with the club. He’s reached 40 doubles in each of his last two campaigns, but last year he managed just 13 round-trippers and 10 steals. Benintendi’s .774 OPS was a shade below the .776 he posted as a rookie.

"Trying to keep my bat in the zone a lot longer than it was last year," Benintendi said. "That’s something we’re working every day off the tee and with flips before we take BP on the field. Just hammer that stuff out every day and find a good routine that works for me."

Benintendi popped to third and grounded into a fielder’s choice on Thursday. He faced Nathan Eovaldi in each of his two at-bats.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

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