SEATTLE — The Boston Red Sox called up prized prospect Andrew Benintendi after their 2-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Monday night.
Benintendi, a 22-year-old outfielder drafted by Boston with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2015 draft, will join the Red Sox on Tuesday for their ongoing series with the Mariners.
Benintendi will make the jump to the majors from Double-A Portland, where he was batting .295 with eight home runs and 44 RBIs in 63 games.
He was promoted from Class A Salem on May 15 after hitting .341 with a homer and 32 RBIs over 34 games.
In Portland, Benintendi — a natural center fielder — was transitioned to left field, where he most likely will play in Boston. Brock Holt, who has been serving as a platoon left fielder, figures to return to a utility role.
Benintendi was the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in 2015 as a sophomore at the University of Arkansas, hitting .376 with a nation-leading 20 home runs. He also won the Golden Spikes Award and was the Dick Howser Trophy winner.
He received a $3.6 million signing bonus with the Red Sox after being drafted.
To clear a roster spot for Benintendi, Boston optioned outfielder Michael Martinez to Triple-A Pawtucket. Martinez went 1-for-6 in four games with the Red Sox after being acquired from the Cleveland Indians in a cash transaction last month.
Boston also made a bullpen move following the Monday game, designating left-hander Tommy Layne for assignment to clear a roster spot for newly acquired left Fernando Abad.
The Red Sox got Abad from Minnesota for minor league right-hander Pat Light at the Monday afternoon trade deadline. Abad, 30, had a 2.65 ERA in 39 appearances with the Twins this season.
Layne, 31, was 0-1 with a 3.77 ERA in 34 relief outings for Boston this year.