Andrew Benintendi – Chicago White Sox Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Andrew Benintendi stands out as one of baseball’s steady outfielders since the Boston Red Sox picked him seventh overall in 2015. The lefty hitter made an immediate impression, helping the Red Sox win the 2018 World Series before moving on to stints with the Royals and Yankees.

Right now, Benintendi is playing under a hefty 5-year, $75 million contract with the Chicago White Sox, including a $3 million signing bonus. That’s the biggest deal he’s landed so far.

He went from a standout at Arkansas to a regular in the majors, thanks to his reliable bat and glove. Even though he’s currently on the 10-day injured list for the White Sox, Benintendi has built up a solid financial base.

His net worth now sits around $10 million, and it’s grown steadily since he turned pro.

Benintendi’s financial journey really follows the path you’d expect for a first-round pick who lives up to the hype. Before signing with the White Sox, he agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract with Boston in 2020, dodging arbitration.

So far, his career earnings are over $97 million. That says a lot about his value as both a hitter and a defender.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Andrew Benintendi started his journey to the majors with a love for the game that grew through standout high school and college play. That drive eventually got him drafted in the first round.

Childhood and Family Background

Andrew Sebastian Benintendi was born July 6, 1994, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up with parents Jill and Chris Benintendi, who always backed his athletic goals.

As a kid, Benintendi just had that natural athletic spark. He played all sorts of sports, but baseball soon became his main thing.

He also played a lot of basketball growing up. Living in the Cincinnati area, he watched the Reds and soaked up the local baseball culture, which only made him want to go pro even more.

High School Baseball Achievements

At Madeira High School in Cincinnati, Benintendi made a name for himself as one of Ohio’s top baseball players. His high school numbers were pretty wild—he broke school records and got statewide attention.

In his senior year, he hit .564 with 12 home runs and 57 RBIs. That’s just unreal consistency and power, honestly.

Those stats earned him the ABCA/Rawlings National High School Player of the Year award.

He wasn’t just about baseball, either. Benintendi scored over 1,000 points in basketball during high school.

College scouts definitely noticed, and he got scholarship offers from some major programs.

College Years and Draft Selection

Benintendi chose the University of Arkansas, where his college baseball career really took off. His freshman season was decent, but in his sophomore year, he absolutely exploded.

In 2015, he led the SEC with a .376 batting average, 20 homers, and 57 RBIs. That season put him on the national map.

He won the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy, both huge honors for college players.

His breakout at Arkansas shot his draft stock way up. The Boston Red Sox grabbed him with the seventh overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, seeing his mix of hitting, power, and defense.

Benintendi signed with Boston and started climbing through the minors, where his skills kept shining against tougher competition.

Professional Baseball Journey

Andrew Benintendi’s career in the majors has been a journey—he’s gone from promising rookie to established outfielder. He’s played for multiple teams, showing off his defensive skills and solid bat.

Major League Debut and Rise with the Red Sox

Benintendi debuted for the Red Sox on August 2, 2016, just 14 months after getting drafted. He moved up the minor league ladder fast and drew comparisons to guys like Grady Sizemore for his power and speed.

In 2017, his first full season, Benintendi finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year race. He helped Boston win the 2018 World Series, making some clutch defensive plays in October.

During his Boston years, Benintendi kept improving, notching his 500th career hit as proof of his steady bat. He earned that two-year, $10 million deal to avoid arbitration.

Impact with Kansas City Royals

Boston traded Benintendi to the Royals before the 2021 season in a three-team deal. It was a big change, moving from a big-market team to one in a rebuilding phase.

With Kansas City, Benintendi found his groove as a contact hitter. He focused more on getting on base than hitting home runs and ended up with a career-high .279 average in 2021.

His defense stayed sharp in Kansas City’s big outfield. The Royals’ GM praised Benintendi’s work ethic and attitude during a tough stretch for the team.

He became a steadying veteran presence for the Royals, helping younger players while still working on his own game.

Trade to New Teams and Career Transitions

As the 2022 trade deadline neared, teams started eyeing Benintendi. The Royals traded him to the Yankees in July 2022, making him a key mid-season addition.

In New York, Benintendi brought lefty hitting and reliable defense. His time with the Yankees was short, but he showed he could adapt quickly and help a playoff team.

After 2022, Benintendi hit free agency as one of the top outfielders available. His value had climbed a lot since his early days, thanks to his consistency and defense.

Switching teams so often really showed Benintendi’s resilience and his knack for fitting into new clubhouses.

Current Role with the Chicago White Sox

In January 2023, Benintendi signed a 5-year, $75 million contract with the White Sox—the biggest free-agent deal in franchise history. Chicago clearly sees him as a cornerstone.

Manager Pedro Grifol expected Benintendi to bring leadership alongside guys like Andrew Vaughn, especially after Tony La Russa left. His experience in the clubhouse has been important.

The White Sox see Benintendi as a key lineup piece, someone who can hit consistently and play Gold Glove-level defense in left field. His estimated net worth of $10 million puts him among the highest-paid players in MLB.

His time in Chicago is just the latest chapter in a career built on adaptability and steady performance.

Performance and Career Highlights

Andrew Benintendi has made a name for himself as a valuable outfielder in MLB, thanks to his defensive skills and reliable bat. He’s racked up achievements in both the regular season and playoffs.

All-Star Recognition and Awards

Benintendi earned an All-Star nod, a sign of his steady play at the top level. He also picked up a Gold Glove in 2021 while with the Royals, showing off his defense.

Back with Boston, he finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2017. That really put him on the map as a rising star.

His college days were just as impressive—he won the Golden Spikes Award and was named SEC Player of the Year at Arkansas.

Benintendi’s mix of defense and offense keeps him among the more dependable outfielders in the league.

Notable Stats: Home Runs and RBIs

Benintendi’s approach at the plate mixes contact hitting with some power. His best power year came in 2017 with Boston, when he hit 20 home runs.

He regularly drove in runs, helping his teams’ offenses. Benintendi focuses on making contact and hitting line drives, not just swinging for the fences.

Some of his key stats:

• Batting average: Usually around .270-.280
• On-base percentage: Steadily above league average
• Extra-base hits: Lots of doubles
• Speed: Can steal bases when needed

That skill set makes him valuable anywhere in the lineup—at the top or in the middle.

Postseason and World Series Contributions

Benintendi played a big part in Boston’s 2018 World Series win. His most memorable moment? A game-saving diving catch in Game 4 of the ALCS against Houston. That catch basically sealed the win.

In the 2018 playoffs, he hit .286 with 4 RBIs across the Division and Championship Series, coming through in big spots. His steady presence helped balance the lineup during Boston’s title run.

Benintendi’s postseason resume includes:

• 2016: Division Series with Boston
• 2017: Division Series with Boston
• 2018: World Series champ with Boston
• 2022: Playoff run with the Yankees

He’s shown he can handle the pressure of October baseball, making him a real asset for teams with championship hopes.

Recent Seasons and Team Dynamics

Andrew Benintendi’s career has twisted and turned lately, with team changes and injuries shaping his role and performance. He’s had to adapt, take on more leadership, and deal with some tough breaks.

Roster Changes and Trades

The Red Sox traded Benintendi to the Royals in February 2021, and that really changed his career path. He went from a familiar spot in Boston to a new challenge in Kansas City.

His Royals stint didn’t last long. The Yankees picked him up in July 2022, hoping he’d add some contact hitting to their power-heavy lineup for a playoff push.

After his short time with New York, Benintendi signed a five-year, $75 million deal with the White Sox in December 2022. Chicago made him a centerpiece in their rebuild, but the team struggled in his first year.

With the White Sox constantly changing their roster, Benintendi now finds himself as a high-priced veteran on a squad that’s cutting payroll and looking for direction.

Injuries and Their Impact

Injuries have definitely played a role in Benintendi’s recent seasons. In September 2020, a rib cage injury limited him to just 14 games with Boston.

Then in 2023 with the White Sox, he hurt his right wrist and needed surgery. That setback kept him from living up to his big contract and didn’t help Chicago’s rough season.

These injuries always seemed to come just as Benintendi was getting into a groove at the plate. Teams had to shuffle their outfields and lineups to make up for his absence.

His defense has taken a hit after these injuries, too. The White Sox medical staff has worked with him on new training routines to help him stay healthy and get back to form.

Leadership Within the Clubhouse

Even though Benintendi’s still pretty young, he’s become a respected voice in the clubhouse. His experience winning with the 2018 Red Sox really stands out.

Younger outfielders often look to him for advice on positioning and how to approach the game. They seem to pick up a lot from just watching how he handles things.

Teammates mention his calm attitude when things aren’t going well. That composure helps steady the group, especially during rough patches.

Teams in transition, like the White Sox, have leaned on his background with winning clubs. He’s become a valuable presence when things feel a bit uncertain.

“He brings a winner’s mentality,” one White Sox coach said in 2023. “Andrew knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level and gets that message across to younger players.”

The White Sox have struggled lately, so Benintendi’s leadership has really been put to the test. He does his best to keep morale up, even when the team hits a skid.

Both teammates and management respect how he handles the media during those losing streaks. That’s not always easy, but he manages it with a steady hand.

Contract and Net Worth

Andrew Benintendi has built up serious financial security through his baseball career. He’s landed substantial contracts and grown his net worth with MLB earnings and some off-field opportunities.

Major Contracts and Earnings

Benintendi’s journey with MLB earnings started when the Boston Red Sox picked him 7th overall in the 2015 draft. He hit his first big payday in February 2020, when he signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Red Sox to avoid arbitration.

Things really took off financially when he joined the Chicago White Sox. Benintendi signed a huge 5-year, $75 million deal with them, including a $3 million signing bonus.

That contract bumped his annual salary up in a big way. Right now, he’s making $8 million per year, which puts him among the higher-paid outfielders.

With his current deal, he’s got financial stability locked in through 2027. That kind of security isn’t something every player gets.

Net Worth Estimates and Endorsements

Andrew Benintendi’s net worth has shot up quite a bit during his MLB career. Depending on where you look, the estimates swing wildly—some sources say he’s worth $10 million, while others throw out numbers as high as $97 million. Honestly, it probably just comes down to how folks crunch the numbers and what they count.

Most of his money comes straight from his baseball contracts. His deal with the Chicago White Sox really stands out as the biggest chunk of his wealth.

That $75 million guaranteed contract? Yeah, that’s the main pillar holding up his current net worth.

He hasn’t just relied on his MLB salary, either. Benintendi has almost certainly picked up some extra cash from endorsement deals, though you don’t hear about those as much as his big league paydays.

Being a former World Series champ with the Red Sox and a Gold Glove winner definitely makes him more marketable than your average player.

Even though Benintendi’s currently on the 10-day injured list for the White Sox, his finances aren’t really taking a hit—his guaranteed contract keeps things steady.