Andrew Benintendi named co-winner of the Gregg Olson Award

Arkansas sophomore outfielder Andrew Benintendi and Mercer’s Kyle Lewis have been named the co-winners of the 2015 Gregg Olson Award presented by Toolshed Sports. The honor is given to college baseball’s breakout player of the year. The award is presented to a top amateur baseball player who elevates his game to an elite level throughout the season.

In an injury-hampered freshman season in 2014, Benintendi started in 60 of 65 games for the Razorbacks, but was more of a threat on the base paths than at the plate. He did have a team leading 17 stolen bases, but he only managed to hit .276 with a single home run.

Benintendi triumphantly exploded on to the scene this year, as he became the first college baseball player to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a season since 2009. He won both the 2015 Golden Spikes and Dick Howser Awards led the Southeastern Conference in batting average at .380, home runs, on-base and slugging percentage and also drew 50 walks to place just outside the top ten nationally. After leading his team to the College World Series, Benintendi was chosen seventh player chosen overall in the MLD draft.

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