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Top Will Benson News
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Reds' Will Benson: Positive early impression
Benson has three stolen bases and has played good defense in center field early on in spring training, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Benson is hardly guaranteed an Opening Day roster spot, let alone regular playing time, but he has some things working in his favor. Nick Senzel doesn't appear likely to be ready for the start of the season, and it's possible Joey Votto could also begin the year on the IL, pushing Wil Myers to first base. Moreover, the Reds don't have many left-handed hitting options in the outfield. Benson has a decent power/speed upside that would make him a decent home park streaming play, similar to teammate Jake Fraley.
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Reds' Will Benson: Traded to Reds
Benson was traded from the Guardians to the Reds on Wednesday.
It was a swap of outfielders, with Justin Boyd heading to the Guardians in return. Cleveland will also get a player to be named later or cash considerations. Benson, the 14th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, went just 10-for-55 (.182) over his first 28 major-league games during the 2022 regular season. However, he possesses decent power and speed and has put up a shiny .873 OPS in 116 career games at the Triple-A level. The 24-year-old should have a clearer path to a regular role in Cincinnati, and his skill set figures to play well at Great American Ball Park.
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Guardians' Will Benson: Yet to make impact in majors
Benson is slashing .143/.211/.143 with one RBI and seven runs scored through his first 38 major-league plate appearances.
The 24-year-old rookie hasn't record a multi-hit effort or an extra-base hit in 17 games. Benson has started the last two games in center field as the Guardians try to address their offensive void at that position with Myles Straw slumping. Benson could provide some speed if he got on base more consistently, as he had 16 steals in 20 attempts in 89 games for Triple-A Columbus prior to his call-up at the start of August.
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Guardians' Will Benson: En route to big leagues
The Guardians confirmed Monday that Benson will be called up from Triple-A Columbus ahead of Cleveland's series opener with the Diamondbacks, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
The lefty-hitting Benson has gotten exposure to all three outfield spots in addition to making three starts at first base for Columbus this season, and the latter position is where he may end up having his clearest path to playing time as he begins his tenure in the big leagues. The Guardians were down both of their top two first baseman -- Josh Naylor (ankle) and Owen Miller (forearm) -- for Sunday's 5-3 win over the Rays, so it's possible either of the two is placed on the 10-day injured list Monday to facilitate room for Benson. The 24-year-old Benson has enjoyed a huge season at Columbus, hitting .275/.424/.516 with 17 home runs and 16 stolen bases while striking out in only 22.7 percent of his plate appearances.
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Guardians' Will Benson: Making major strides
Benson is hitting .254/.421/.476 with 13 home runs, 14 steals and a 65:73 BB:K through 72 games with Triple-A Columbus this season.
Once considered a top-100 prospect, Benson fell flat on his face in Triple-A after being promoted last season, and given his lengthy track record of striking out and hitting for low batting averages, it was hard to expect much this year. However, after a so-so start to 2022 that saw Benson continuing his struggles to make contact, he's put together a stunning reversal over the last month. Over the course of his last 21 games, he's posted a .293/.500/.547 batting line with a stunning 32:19 BB:K -- that's a 29.6 percent walk rate and 17.6 percent strikeout rate. There's always going to be swing-and-miss in his game, but Benson's power, speed and patience make him an intriguing post-hype sleeper who's right on the doorstep of the big leagues.
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Indians' Will Benson: Rising in farm system
Benson was promoted to High-A Lynchburg on Wednesday, Emily Waldon of The Athletic reports.
The 21-year-old had a stellar first half of the season, resulting in his second straight appearance in the Midwest League All-Star Game. He's on pace for 36 home runs, 110 RBI and 88 runs, which would all shatter his previous career-best numbers. Considering his excellent hitting, it might be in the club's best interest to provide more challenging competition for Benson sooner rather than later.
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Indians' Will Benson: Returns to Low-A
Benson will return to Low-A Lake County for the start of the 2019 season, MLB.com reports.
This is not a surprise, as Benson hit .180 and struck out 30 percent of the time over a full season at Low-A last year. Even with those struggles, he was an above-league-average hitter (102 wRC+), which speaks to his raw power (22 home runs) and willingness to take a walk (16.2 BB%). He is still just 20 years old, so the book has not yet been written, but Benson will need to rebound in a big way to return to must-roster status in dynasty leagues.
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Indians' Will Benson: Two homers for Lake County
Benson went 2-for-3 with two home runs Wednesday for Low-A Lake County against West Michigan.
The tooled-up 19-year-old can be a tough player to get a handle on for dynasty-league purposes, as his .238 average last year in the New York-Penn League is his best mark to date. However, he has made excellent strides at the plate so far this season. Benson is walking at a career-best 18.2 percent clip while also striking out a career-best 27.3 percent of the time. He has made these improvements all while posting a career-high .269 ISO, which ranks third in the Midwest League. A .233 BABIP is suppressing his batting average (.212), so there's still a buying opportunity if his owner is not carefully tracking Benson's improvements. He is a better bet in OBP leagues, but Benson's high-end power combined with above-average speed could someday make him an excellent contributor in all formats if he keeps the strikeouts in check.
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Indians' Will Benson: Finishes 2017 on high note
Benson finished 2017 slashing .238/.347/.475 with 10 home runs, 36 RBI and 29 runs over 56 games in the New York-Penn League.
The Tribe's first-round pick in 2016 started slow against short-season pitching, but Benson's batting average improved each month. He finished tied atop the league's homer leaderboard while ranking in the top five for RBI, triples (five) and OPS (.823). Benson's 33.9 percent strikeout rate can obviously use some work, but his plate discipline should develop as the teenager bags more experience.
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Indians' Will Benson: Struggling against short-season pitching
Benson, 19, is hitting .200/.231/.360 with one home run and 21 strikeouts in 50 at-bats in the New York-Penn League.
When the Indians picked Benson with the 14th overall pick last year, it was a true boom-or-bust selection, and so far the returns have been pretty troubling. He has the kind of tools dynasty-league owners covet, but may never be able to hit enough for those tools to shine in games.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-5, 215 lbs |
| Birthplace: Atlanta, GA |
| Age: 24 |
| Experience: R |
| Bats/Throws: L, L |