Cincinnati Reds’ Will Benson Haunts Former Cleveland Guardians’ Team

Cincinnati Reds outfielder, Will Benson, hit four home runs against the Cleveland Guardians in their three-game, Ohio Cup Series The games took place May 16, 17, and 18 in Cincinnati..

The Reds swept the series.

The left-handed hitting Benson was a key component of the Reds domination of Cleveland in their Major League Baseball rivalry weekend matchup.

In the series, Benson, 26, haunted the team that drafted him.

Benson was a 1st round, 2016 draft pick of the then Cleveland Indians. He was the No. 14 player taken in the draft.

In 2015, Benson made himself known to scouts when he played on the USA Baseball’s gold-medal winning team, in the 18-and under World Cup in Japan.

Benson was selected in the draft out of Westminster High School, in Atlanta, Georgia.

As a senior in high school, the athletic Benson hit .454, with eight home runs and 45 RBIs.

At one point, Benson thought he would walk-on and play basketball for the Duke University.

That was not to be, as he was drafted by Cleveland, and signed to play professional baseball.

Benson received a $2.5 million signing bonus from Cleveland.

At the time of the draft, MLB.com ranked Benson as the 7th best Cleveland prospect. The site indicated his arm strength (Grade 60,) and power potential (Grade 55,) as his best overall tools. MLB.com gave him an overall grade of 50, which equates to an everyday major league player.

Benson played in 28 games for Cleveland, as he made his big league debut August 1, 2022, against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Benson made only 61 plate appearances for Cleveland, hitting .182, with a double among his 10 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.

More About Will Benson:

At 6-4, 230 pounds, Will Benson is very well put together.

Benson comes from an athletic family, as his dad played collegiate basketball at Purdue University.

Benson is a pretty accomplished chess player.

Benson has strength throughout his frame, and his home run outburst against Cleveland should not have been a surprise.

This old scout has always felt Benson could be a consequential, power hitting major league outfielder, if given the opportunity.

Now, after his massive weekend against Cleveland, Benson may get his chance to shine.

Terry Francona, Benson’s manager when Benson played for Cleveland, is once again his manager with Cincinnati.
fangraphs.com notes that Benson is part of a platoon. As a left-handed hitter, he gets most of

the at-bats from the right field position. However, he may be used more frequently now, as he has recently played center field as well.

Fans were a bit surprised when Benson didn’t make the Reds 26-man roster out of spring training.

Instead of bringing Benson north with them from their spring training camp in Goodyear, Arizona, the team elected to go with outfielders Blake Dunn and Jacob Hurtubise.

Dunn and Hurtubise are now both on the Reds Triple-A, Louisville roster.

Injuries and a lack of production from Dunn and Hurtubise ultimately led to Benson getting his promotion.

At the time he was called to the Reds in May, Benson was hitting .289 in 31 minor league games at Triple-A Louisville.

Then, when he did get his chance to play, Benson hit home runs in four consecutive games.

At the start of play May 19, Benson had a hitting line of .367/.424/.933/.1.35, with two doubles, five homers, and 11 RBIs in just 33 plate appearances. He has played in only nine Reds games.

On May 19, MLB named Will Benson the National League Player of the Week.

That from a guy who didn’t even make the opening day roster.

Benson’s power and his loud contact should not come as a surprise to those who have watched him develop over time as a dangerous, but appropriately aggressive hitter.

Benson’s speed and good baseball instincts will also be an asset for his team in the outfield, and on the bases.

It appears Will Benson will get more playing time after his massive weekend against his former Cleveland teammates.