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Andrew Benintendi 2023 Outlook: Solid 2022 Doesn't Mean Solid 2023
2 years agoAndrew Benintendi posted a career year in 2022, hitting .304/.373/.399 with five long balls in a campaign split between the Royals and Yankees. He somehow hoodwinked the White Sox into thinking that was his baseline talent level, but fantasy managers have thankfully been more discerning if his ADP of 235.74 is any indication. Benintendi's surface plate discipline stats were great last year with a 14.8 K% against a 10 BB%, but his underlying 85.5 Z-Contact% and 8.9 SwStr% were more good than great. Furthermore, Benintendi's contact quality was abysmal with a 3.8% HR/FB, 5.1% rate of Brls/BBE, and 92 mph average airborne exit velocity. That poor contact quality led to an xBA of .273 last year before baking in any K% regression. Benintendi went 8-for-11 on SB attempts last season, so he doesn't offer enough speed to offset his lack of power either. Benintendi is currently projected to hit second in Chicago's lineup, a role that provides some fantasy appeal in deeper formats in a Nick Markakis sort of way. Fantasy managers in shallower formats should look at alternatives with more upside even considering Benintendi's ADP.
