Benson eager to showcase talent in quest for roster spot

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Take a look at the chiseled 6-foot-5, 230-pound left-handed-hitting outfielder Will Benson and it wouldn't be hard to imagine him launching booming drives that land on Mehring Way outside of Great American Ball Park for the Reds.

"I’ve heard good things from people that say, ‘You can get the ball out of that ballpark,'" Benson said.

Since Benson was the 14th overall selection by Cleveland in the 2016 Draft, his raw power, speed and defensive skills have wowed evaluators. Yet, his progress in that organization slowed to the point where he was passed by other prospects. The Guardians traded the 24-year-old to Cincinnati on Feb. 8 for outfield prospect Justin Boyd, who was the 73rd overall pick in 2022.

With the Reds, Benson is in contention for a spot on the Opening Day roster.

“I want to show them I am capable of being a contributing factor on the team," Benson said. "When I first got traded, I kind of knew right away what was going on here. I have an opportunity at camp. It’s my full intention to show what kind of ballplayer I am and help them win.”

During Tuesday's 7-1 Reds win over the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch, Benson was the designated hitter and went 0-for-3 with a pair of called strikeouts.

The Reds have had some big and promising sluggers rise through their system and ultimately not pan out. Lefty-hitting Juan Francisco comes to mind, and from the right side, Aristides Aquino started strong, but couldn't put it all together and was designated for assignment in November. Aquino is now playing in Japan.

Benson is certainly hoping for a better outcome. Last season at Triple-A Columbus, he batted .278 with a .948 OPS, 17 home runs, 45 RBIs and 16 steals. After often struggling in the Minors, his plate discipline improved from past seasons, with 75 walks and 91 strikeouts over 401 plate appearances.

That's closer to the type of player Benson believes the Reds are getting.

"You’re going to get extraordinarily good defense and good at-bats," he said. "Then you’ll get a period where I’m just unstoppable. That’s what happens every year.”

Cincinnati's outfield situation currently works in Benson's favor. Center fielder Nick Senzel (left toe) came to camp behind schedule, and looks less and less likely to be ready for Opening Day. It's a similar situation for the rehabbing Joey Votto (left shoulder), which could lead to right fielder Wil Myers getting more time at first base.

The club also lacks left-handed hitters. Benson is competing with other outfielders like Jake Fraley, TJ Friedl, Stuart Fairchild and Michael Siani, along with utility players Chad Pinder and Nick Solak.

Benson is batting .429 (3-for-7) in three games this spring and leads the club with three steals.

"He’s made some nice plays in center," Reds manager David Bell said of Benson. "He can really run. He covers a lot of ground in center field. He can play the corners, but we’ve actually heard he’s maybe just as good, if not better, in center, from people who have seen him a lot. At the plate, it looks like he’s found an approach at the plate that he’s getting really comfortable with. The results are what they are early here, but he looks like he’s really comfortable in the box."

Called up to the Guardians on Aug. 1, Benson made his Major League debut and batted .182 with a .450 OPS in 28 games. Like many before him, he got a lot of the big league first moments out of the way and now can focus on figuring out how to stay for good.

“I learned that mentality is everything," Benson said. "I made some adjustments, but in reality, it’s all mentality and game-planning. Once you’ve experienced it and do it, you’re comfortable."

Former Guardians teammate and close friend Steven Kwan thinks that Benson's career can take flight in the big leagues.

"Selfishly, I’m bummed because I was excited to be with him every day, but he’s going to get a great opportunity over there," said Kwan, who came up in Cleveland's system with Benson. "He always has this thing where he gets bumped up to another level, has a little bump here and then, once he’s acclimated the next year, he goes crazy."

The Reds are banking that they can hit that timing just right.

"He’s still young, obviously talented," Bell said. "If he can get really confident in his approach at the plate, there is no doubt his best years are ahead of him."