Benintendi’s fast track leads to Double-A

HARRISBURG, Pa. — When Andrew Benintendi debuted for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs on May 16, the center fielder did so with his fifth team in less than a year.

Consistent success has propelled Benintendi on this rapid journey, from the University of Arkansas, through three Class A Red Sox affiliates and now to Portland. With the latest promotion comes perhaps the most daunting challenge yet for the 21-year-old, who is No. 21 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list.

The leap to Double-A can be the largest a prospect has to make before reaching the Majors, as he encounters more advanced pitching, represented on Wednesday night by Harrisburg right-hander and No. 1 overall prospect Lucas Giolito.

“Guys in [Class A Advanced] and Double-A, I’d say have comparable stuff, velo, offspeed pitches,” said Portland first baseman Nate Freiman, who spent time in the Majors with Oakland from 2013-14. “But the difference in Double-A is guys can do what they’re trying to do with it more often. They can throw it where they want. They can locate a little bit more, and that makes it a lot harder to hit.”

Benintendi’s eye-popping production prompted the Red Sox to move him up the ladder. Since becoming the No. 7 pick in last …

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