FAYETTEVILLE -- Andrew Benintendi's super summer just got a little better.
The former Arkansas outfielder was named Thursday as the recipient of the Roy F. Kramer Award as the SEC's male athlete of the year.
Benintendi, who turned 21 on Monday, may need to expand his trophy case after this latest award. Earlier this year the Cincinnati native was named the SEC's player of the year in baseball, won the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy given to the best player in college baseball, and received national player of the year awards from Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball.
Benintendi, who is in his second week as a professional in the Boston Red Sox organization, could not be reached for comment Thursday. His agent, Jason Wood with Arland Sports of St. Louis, said Benintendi was already at the ballpark early Thursday afternoon to prepare for a game in the Class A New York-Penn League for the Lowell Spinners.
Two days after receiving a signing bonus of $3.59 million as the No. 7 pick of the first round by the Red Sox, Benintendi went 2 for 4 in his pro debut July 3, then hit a home run while going 2 for 4 on Saturday.
He was hitting .250 with 1 home run and 2 RBI through 5 games heading into Thursday's game against West Virginia.
After hitting .276 as a freshman, Benintendi stayed on campus last summer to improve his strength and the move paid off. He hit .376 to lead the SEC and led the country with 20 home runs. Benintendi also stole 24 bases in 2015.
After getting off to what he called a slow start, Benintendi started rolling in March.
"I settled down and started playing a lot better," Benintendi said during the midst of Arkansas' postseason run.
Benintendi, who is the third-highest major-league draft pick in school history, also led the SEC with a .717 slugging percentage, a .488 on-base percentage and 50 walks.
Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn credited Benintendi's hot streak in March and April for helping carry the Razorbacks to their 14th consecutive NCAA regional and on to the program's eighth College World Series appearance.
Florida softball star Lauren Haeger was chosen as the SEC's female athlete of the year.
"Andrew and Lauren have competed at the highest level of collegiate athletics, and through their hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence have been successful in their endeavors," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a released statement. "They are outstanding representatives of their universities, and the SEC is proud to honor them for their accomplishments."
Benintendi became the third Arkansas male to win SEC athlete of the year honors, following former basketball standout Corliss Williamson in 1994 and two-time winner Alistair Cragg (2003-04) from track and field. Former long-distance runner Amy Yoder Begley (2001) is the only Arkansas female athlete to win the award.
The men's award has been presented since 1976 and has been won by players such as Herschel Walker, Shaquille O'Neal, Todd Helton, Peyton Manning, David Price and Tim Tebow. Kramer, the SEC commissioner from 1990-2002 and a driving force behind the creation of the Bowl Championship Series, had his name added to the award in 2004.
Sports on 07/10/2015