Greenwell also wasn't just a better hitter, he was a far, far better hitter up to this point and then fell off something smaller than a cliff.
After his first 2 full seasons, he had an OPS+ of 155 in 331 games, 1223 PA. After that, he had an OPS+ of 111, 14.0 WAR for the rest of his career (938 games, 3943 PA) until he was out of the league at 32. I was really young at the time so I don't remember what caused the drop off after 1988. Looking at the stats, it looks like he temporary lost the ability to hit lefties. It wasn't health related, at least not until his age 28 season. Someone want to fill me in?
Meanwhile, Benintendi has an OPS+ of 113 after 444 games, 1951 PA. I don't think they are very good comps at all. Greenwell is kind of an island of his own.
Benny's also been just as good vs L as righties this year and had pretty much no split in the minors so hopefully that's a trend going forward.
vs RHP: 373 PA, .287/.358/.473, 8 HR, 33bb/86k, 8.8% BB%, 23.1% K%
vs LHP: 141 PA, .283/.371/.458, 4 HR, 17bb/33k, 12.1% BB%, 23.4% K%.
Last 26 games: 115 PA, .368/.417/.641, .447 BAbip, 8bb/25k, 5 HR. Raised his overall line from .261/.345/.414 to .286/.361/.469.
If I had to pick a Sox player to compare him to up to age 24, I'd probably pick Ellis Burks. After age 24, Burks had a 130+ OPS in 1344 games, 5345 PA and 38.0 WAR. I'd gladly take a Burks like career, I'd be pretty disappointed with Greenwell.
Side note: Burks finished 3rd in MVP voting in 1996 and Greenwell finished 2nd in 1988. While Benny may never win an MVP award, I wouldn't be shocked if he had a top 5 finish.
After his first 2 full seasons, he had an OPS+ of 155 in 331 games, 1223 PA. After that, he had an OPS+ of 111, 14.0 WAR for the rest of his career (938 games, 3943 PA) until he was out of the league at 32. I was really young at the time so I don't remember what caused the drop off after 1988. Looking at the stats, it looks like he temporary lost the ability to hit lefties. It wasn't health related, at least not until his age 28 season. Someone want to fill me in?
Meanwhile, Benintendi has an OPS+ of 113 after 444 games, 1951 PA. I don't think they are very good comps at all. Greenwell is kind of an island of his own.
Benny's also been just as good vs L as righties this year and had pretty much no split in the minors so hopefully that's a trend going forward.
vs RHP: 373 PA, .287/.358/.473, 8 HR, 33bb/86k, 8.8% BB%, 23.1% K%
vs LHP: 141 PA, .283/.371/.458, 4 HR, 17bb/33k, 12.1% BB%, 23.4% K%.
Last 26 games: 115 PA, .368/.417/.641, .447 BAbip, 8bb/25k, 5 HR. Raised his overall line from .261/.345/.414 to .286/.361/.469.
If I had to pick a Sox player to compare him to up to age 24, I'd probably pick Ellis Burks. After age 24, Burks had a 130+ OPS in 1344 games, 5345 PA and 38.0 WAR. I'd gladly take a Burks like career, I'd be pretty disappointed with Greenwell.
Side note: Burks finished 3rd in MVP voting in 1996 and Greenwell finished 2nd in 1988. While Benny may never win an MVP award, I wouldn't be shocked if he had a top 5 finish.