BA GRADE
55
Risk: Extreme
HIT: 45.
POW: 60.
SPD: 55.
FLD: 55.
ARM: 60.
Born: June 16, 1998. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 215. Drafted: HS—Atlanta, 2016 (1st round). Signed by: C.T. Bradford.
Benson was a two-sport star in high school and, as a senior, was a member of the USA Baseball team that won the 2016 18U World Cup in Japan and earned second-team all-state honors in basketball. On the diamond, he developed a reputation as a toolsy, athletic player, which he has lived up to thus far as a professional.
Benson produces elite bat speed thanks to his strength and quick hands, and turns that bat speed into tremendous lefthanded raw power, rivaling Bobby Bradley for the best in the system. He is learning to get to that power more consistently and this season led the New York-Penn League in home runs (10) and ranked second in isolated power (.237). His power comes with a lot of swing-and-miss, however, and he has struck out in a third of his plate appearances as a pro. He has frequently tinkered with his swing in the past, but seemed to hit on a comfortable swing in the second half of the season. Those adjustments, as well as his ability to work a walk, leads to some optimism that he’ll be able to cut down his strikeouts as he continues to develop. He is an excellent athlete and runs well for his size, particularly once he is underway. He has a plus arm and is a solid defender in right field. As a big, athletic, lefthanded-hitting outfielder from Atlanta,
Benson is often compared with Jason Heyward, who was also the 14th overall pick in the draft. Benson has a long way to go to reach that ceiling and will advance to full-season ball for the first time when he opens 2018 with low Class A Lake County.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2016 |
Indians (AZL) |
R |
.215 |
44 |
158 |
31 |
34 |
2017 |
Mahoning Valley (NYP) |
SS |
.238 |
56 |
202 |
29 |
48 |
Minor League Totals |
.228 |
100 |
360 |
60 |
82 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
2016 |
Indians (AZL) |
10 |
3 |
6 |
27 |
22 |
2017 |
Mahoning Valley (NYP) |
8 |
5 |
10 |
36 |
31 |
Minor League Totals |
18 |
8 |
16 |
63 |
53 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
2016 |
Indians (AZL) |
60 |
10 |
2 |
.326 |
.430 |
2017 |
Mahoning Valley (NYP) |
80 |
7 |
1 |
.347 |
.475 |
Minor League Totals |
140 |
17 |
3 |
.338 |
.456 |
|