Andrew Benintendi. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez are among the favorites for American League MVP. All the while Andrew Benintendi was nearly an All-Star, in the midst of a career-year with a .285 average, .823 OPS, 16 homers, 84 RBI, 39 doubles, six triples, 100 runs, and 21 steals entering today's action, and last year's Rookie of the Year runner-up isn't getting nearly the attention he deserves!
Andrew, jealous of Mookie and J.D.?
"Doesn't matter at all, probably how I prefer it honestly," he said. "Having those guys hit around me makes me a better hitter, I know it definitely doesn't hurt."
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Martinez is renowned for his preparation. Does he try to replicate his habits at all, on or off the field?
"I've watched him work in the cage and things like that," Benintendi said. "Him and Mookie have talked a lot about how they go about their at-bats, their pregame routine, everything like that. For me, mine just stays the same, I haven't changed anything. We're obviously completely different hitters--J.D.'s obviously a power hitter, and I'm more of an average, get on base kind of guy. I'll watch the way he works, and if something clicks with me, I'll use it--but for the most part I've stayed the same."
And at 24, that's pretty good.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) reports