The White Sox have scored a grand total of 13 runs in eight games this season. They have also already been shut out three times. The team has not seen this level of offensive futility to begin a season since 1968. That is how historically bad the offense has been. Given that baseball is a team sport, no one player can carry a lineup indefinitely or shoulder the whole blame for the failures of a team. However, the leadoff hitter should set the tone in any lineup. Especially when said leadoff hitter is the highest-priced free agent in the history of a franchise. Andrew Benintendi is that guy for the White Sox, and he is becoming a significant problem because of his performance on the field.
Benintendi's Past Track Record
Drafted with the seventh overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Red Sox, Benintendi enjoyed several productive seasons in Boston. He won a ring with them in 2018 and later won a Gold Glove and made an All-Star team as a member of the Kansas City Royals. Benintendi was a solid player for several years and parlayed his track record into a five-year, $75 million contract with the White Sox in January 2023. He was expected to be a key cog in left field for a White Sox team looking to rebound from a disappointing 2022 season.
Benintendi's Disappointing First Season In Chicago
Unfortunately for Benintendi, his first season in Chicago was a disappointment. He put up the worst numbers of his career offensively, at least in a full season. He had just an 87 OPS+ last year, meaning he was 13% worse than the league-average hitter. He also hit just five home runs in 621 plate appearances. His lack of power and production was likely due to hand issues that he dealt with, but still, it was a very disappointing season. He was also way below his career norms in areas such as average exit velocity, hard-hit %, and barrel % in 2023.
It is normal for high-dollar free agents to struggle in their first season with a new team. Expectations are high when a player signs a big contract; some players may feel they must do too much to live up to those expectations. Benintendi could have fallen into that category last year. However, he should have adjusted to his new home by now. He has not.
Dreadful Start In 2024
While it is a small sample size, Benintendi has been horrific this season. He has been significantly worse than last year, which was already disappointing in its own right. He is hitting .094 this season. No, that is not a typo. He is 1 for his last 20 at the plate. He also has a .215 OPS. He has three hits all season and a -0.8 bWAR in eight games. Benintendi’s numbers are down across the board. It has been a nightmare start for him.
It is worth noting that the situation Benintendi entered in Chicago is much different than the one he is in now. When he signed, many thought the 2023 White Sox would compete for the division title. Now, they are arguably the worst team in baseball. That could impact the mindset of a player, especially one who signed a lucrative free-agent contract like Benintendi did. But still, he should be performing significantly better than he is, regardless of what the team is doing. Benintendi was the most expensive free-agent contract in franchise history for a reason. He has talent and a winning pedigree. He just has not lived up to that label thus far.
Benintendi Needs To Step Up
White Sox fans have given Benintendi a long leash compared to other fanbases. Yankees or Phillies fans would be booing him relentlessly every game. We have been easy on him for the most part. Nobody expects him to be a superstar. Nobody even expects him to be a star. And in reality, this team would still be awful even if Benintendi was the best player in baseball. But it would be nice if he could be a respectable player and earn his contract, given that he will be here for three more seasons after this one. If he keeps performing like he has been, things could get ugly. Let’s hope he can get back on track.
