Cincinnati Reds’ Will Benson haunts the former Cleveland Guardians’ team.
Reds outfielder Haunts Team…
Will Benson, a Cincinnati Reds outfielder, blasted four home runs against the Cleveland Guardians in the three-game Ohio Cup Series. The games took place on May 16, 17, and 18 in Cincinnati. The Reds swept the series. Benson, a left-handed hitter, was a significant component of the Reds’ dominance against Cleveland during their Major League Baseball rivalry weekend. Throughout the series, Benson, 26, plagued the squad that draughted him.
Benson was a first-round draft pick in 2016 by the Cleveland Indians. He was the 14th player selected in the draft. Benson made himself known to scouts in 2015 when he competed in the 18-and-under World Cup in Japan, where the USA Baseball team won the gold medal. Benson was taken in the draft from Westminster High School in Atlanta, Georgia. As a senior in high school, Benson batted.454, with eight home runs and 45 RBIs.
Reds outfielder Haunts Team…
Benson considered walking on to Duke University’s basketball team. That was not to be, however, as he was draughted by Cleveland and signed to play professional baseball. Cleveland paid Benson a signing bonus of $2.5 million. At the time of the draft, MLB.com ranked Benson as Cleveland’s seventh best prospect. The website listed his arm strength (Grade 60) and power potential (Grade 55) as his top overall tools. MLB.com assigned him an overall grade of 50, which is equivalent to an everyday major league performer.
Benson played in 28 games with Cleveland, making his major league debut on August 1, 2022, against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Benson made only 61 plate appearances for Cleveland, hitting.182 with a double among his ten hits. On February 8, 2023, the Guardians traded Benson to their in-state rivals, the Cincinnati Reds, for outfielder Justin Boyd and pitcher Steve Hajjar.
Reds outfielder Haunts Team…
More about Will Benson: Will Benson, who stands 6-4 and weighs 230 pounds, is in great shape. Benson comes from an athletic background; his father played college basketball at Purdue University. Benson is a fairly accomplished chess player. Benson possesses strength throughout his body, so his home run explosion against Cleveland should not have been surprising.
This former scout believes Benson has the potential to be a significant, power-hitting major league outfielder if given the opportunity. Benson may now have his opportunity to shine following his huge weekend versus Cleveland. Terry Francona, Benson’s manager when he played for Cleveland, is now his manager in Cincinnati. Fangraphs.com reports that Benson is a member of a platoon.
As a left-handed hitter, he receives at-bats from right field.Instead of bringing Benson north from their spring training camp in Goodyear, Arizona, the organisation decided to stick with outfielders Blake Dunn and Jacob Hurtubise. Dunn and Hurtubise are now on the Reds’ Triple-A Louisville roster.
Injuries and a lack of production from Dunn and Hurtubise eventually led to Benson’s elevation.
Then, when he did get a chance to play, Benson blasted home runs in four straight games.
At the start of play on May 19, Benson had a hitting line of.367/.424/.933/.1.35, with two doubles, five home runs, and 11 RBIs in only 33 plate appearances. He has appeared in just nine Reds games. On May 19, MLB named Will Benson National League Player of the Week. That comes from a player who did not even make the opening day roster. Benson’s power and loud contact should come as no surprise to those who have watched him develop over time into a dangerous but suitably aggressive hitter.
Benson’s quickness and superb baseball intuition will also help his club in the outfield and on the bases. Will Benson appears to be getting more playing time following his impressive performance against his former Cleveland teammates this weekend.
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