Arkansas’ Benintendi Named National Player of the Year
By Chase Foster
Arkansas baseball player Andrew Benintendi has been named Collegiate Baseball’s National Player of the Year. This is the second player of the year award in a matter of weeks for the sophomore center fielder who emerged as a projected top ten draft pick in the upcoming Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
Benintendi joined elite company Thursday morning as a winner of the prestigious award. He joins SEC legends Will Clark (1985), Derick Lilliquist (1987), Ben McDonald (1989), Lloyd Peever (1992), Todd Helton (1995), Tim Hudson (1997), Brad Wilkerson (1998), Eddy Furniss (1998), Kip Bouknight (2000), Mike Zunino (2012) and AJ Reed (2014) as national players of the year in the conference.
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The sophomore’s statistics have been ridiculous to say the least, but he also leads many categories nationally and is one of the most decorated players in program history. Just take a look at this breakdown, according to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
#BennyBaseball Breakdown
• Is the first National Player of the Year in program history.
• Is the first Arkansas athlete in baseball, football and men’s basketball to garner National Player of the Year honors.
• Is the first SEC Player of the Year in program history.
• Is the first Razorback to win a major SEC award since Nick Schmidt won Pitcher of the Year in 2006.
• Is the first player in school history with at least 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season.
• Only player in the SEC to rank in the top 25 nationally in batting average, home runs, slugging percentage and on base percentage.
• On pace to become first player in SEC history to win the batting title, home run title and Player of the Year.
• On pace to become the third player in SEC history to finish the year as the league leader in home runs and batting average.
• Is one of only two players in the country with 15-plus home runs and 20-plus stolen bases.
• Currently leads the SEC in batting average, home runs, slugging percentage, on base percentage and walks.
• Is eight RBI’s shy of becoming the second Triple Crown winner in SEC history.
• Leads all sophomores in the country in batting average, home runs and slugging percentage.
Power
• Is third in the country with 18 home runs on the year.
• Is third the country with a .738 slugging percentage (Highest of any player in NCAA Tournament).
• Ranks eighth in the SEC with 52 RBI on the year (Eight behind leader).
• Had a span of four home runs in six plate appearances against Mississippi Valley State and Kentucky.
Consistency
• Leads the SEC with a .492 on base percentage (Third highest of any player in NCAA Tournament).
• Leads the SEC with a .391 batting average (Second highest of any player in NCAA Tournament).
• His .391 batting average would be the highest at Arkansas since 2010, when Zack Cox set the school record at .429.
Speed
• Is second in the SEC with 149 total bases (Six behind the leader).
• Tied for fifth in the SEC with 22 stolen bases on the year.
• Tied for fourth in the SEC with 54 runs scored.
On The Horizon
• Named a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist
• One of 35 semifinalists for Dick Howser Trophy