With the seventh overall pick in the draft, the Red Sox have selected Arkansas outfielder Andrew Benintendi. Benintendi, a draft-eligible sophomore, has had a significant amount of helium throughout the spring lifting him into the early teens or even the back end of the top 10. Benintendi has been linked to both the Red Sox and Cubs in the top 10, with the Reds also interested just outside the top 10.
Benintendi joins a stable of young outfielders in Boston's organization, including Rusney Castillo, Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Manuel Margot. With Hanley Ramirez struggling in left field and eventually being likely to shift to designated hitter, the Sox will need plenty of help in the outfield in upcoming seasons.
Benintendi had a breakout sophomore season at Arkansas, leading the Razorbacks to the College World Series. He hit .380/.489/.715 with 19 home runs and 23 stolen bases, being caught just four times, in 63 games. He led the Razorbacks with 41 walks and struck out just 31 times. He is one of four players nominated for the Golden Spikes Award in 2015.
Benintendi was not on the first round radar prior to 2015, some scouts were unaware he was even draft-eligible early in the season, but the addition of power to the left-hander's game to complement the SEC's top on-base percentage, plus speed and the ability to play center field has propelled him up draft boards.