• Full name William Joseph Benson
  • Born 03/05/1988 in Hinsdale, IL
  • Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Joliet Catholic Academy
  • Debut 09/06/2011
  • Drafted in the 2nd round (64th overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2006 (signed for $575,000).
    View Draft Report
    The top position-player prospect in Illinois, Benson could have pursued college football had he so desired. He rushed for 2,183 yards (12.4 per carry) and scored 202 points last fall, concluding his high school gridiron career with 363 yards rushing and four touchdowns in the second round of the state 6-A playoffs. But Benson has decided to focus on baseball, where his combination of speed and power make him enticing. In a mid-May workout, he hit 11 of 20 pitches out of the park using a wood bat and ran from the right side of the plate to first base in 4.1 seconds. He also showed decent arm strength from center field, his projected position in college or pro ball after catching in high school. He lacks the arm to play behind the plate at higher levels. A solid 6-foot-2, 210-pounder, Benson also earns high marks for his gamer makeup and ability to make adjustments at the plate. He can get too aggressive at times, almost jumping out of his shoes to hit and chasing breaking balls, though at other times he'll display a more disciplined approach. His swing also has some effort to it. Benson reportedly wants top-five-round money to forgo playing at Purdue, and he may not go quite that high in the draft.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Minor League Top Prospects

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Athlete in the Minnesota Twins in 2012
  • Rated Best Athlete in the Minnesota Twins in 2011
  • Rated Best Athlete in the Minnesota Twins in 2008
  • Rated Best Athlete in the Minnesota Twins in 2007

Scouting Reports

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