Sox Sign #1 Pick Benintendi

The Red Sox have signed their top two draft picks from last month's amateur draft - OF Andrew Benintendi and C Austin Rei.

Benintendi was the 7th overall pick in the June draft. The University of Arkanasas outfielder won the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Award as the top college player. Benintendi hit .380 with 20 home runs and 20 steals.

Rei, a catcher from the University of Washington, was taken in the third round (#81 overall). Some baseball observers think he would have been a first round pick if not for a thumb injury sustained during the season.

MLB.com is reporting that Benintendi gets a signing bonus of $3,590,400.00 and Rei gets $742,000.

They are expected to start at Class A Lowell.