Will Benson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #26 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: A heralded player coming out of the Atlanta prep ranks, Benson has long stood out for his athleticism and power. A first-round pick in 2016, he completed a long climb through the minor leagues in 2022 to make his major league debut as a 24-year-old.
  
  Scouting Report: Benson produces exceptional bat speed thanks to his strength and quick hands. He turns that bat speed into big lefthanded raw power, and has consistently ranked among the organization's home run leaders. He significantly cut his strikeout rate in 2022, dropping it to 22.7% after it had been 30.8% in the three previous full seasons. That newfound discipline didn't come at the expense of his ability to take walks, as his patience has always been a defining part of his approach. He has solid speed and is a threat on the bases. Benson primarily has played right field in the minor leagues but is capable of playing all three outfield positions and did so in Cleveland. His arm strength and speed make him a solid defender.
  
  The Future: Benson's combination of power and athleticism is exciting and he's worked hard to get to the major leagues. Whether he can turn that promise into a regular big league role will depend on his ability to make more consistent contact. Even if he ends up in a reserve role, he'll have value as a lefthanded hitter with power who can play all three outfield positions.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 45 Power: 60 Speed: 55 Fielding: 50 Arm: 50
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #25 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: A heralded prep player coming out of the Atlanta prep ranks, Benson has long stood out for his athleticism and power. He started 2019 repeating low Class A Lake County as a 20-year-old and excelled. He was leading the Midwest League with 18 home runs in 61 games when he was promoted to high Class A Lynchburg, but his performance took a step back in the Carolina League.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Benson produces exceptional 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. Benson has a patient, bordering on passive, approach at the plate that helps him draw walks but also means he works deep in counts, contributing to his high strikeout rate. While he may just be on his way to becoming a three true outcomes player, Benson shows enough athleticism and tools to provide optimism that he can make necessary adjustments to become more consistent. He profiles well in right field thanks to his plus arm and solid speed, particularly once he is underway.
  
  THE FUTURE: Benson's ceiling remains considerable, but he'll turn 22 in June and needs to show more hittability sooner than later to reach it. He'll return to Lynchburg to get back on track in 2020.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #21 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Benson was a highly-touted player in 2016 coming out of the Atlanta prep ranks and has long stood out for his big tools, especially his power. Both the good and bad in his game has been exposed in the minor leagues, most starkly in 2018 when he reached full-season ball for the first time.
  
  Scouting Report: Benson produces exceptional 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. That power helped Benson hit 22 home runs to lead the Midwest League. It also comes with a hefty amount of swing-and-miss, however, and he whiffed in 30 percent of his plate appearances. Benson has a patient, bordering on passive, approach at the plate. He ranked third in the league in walks (82) but he also often works deep in counts, contributing to his high strikeout rate. While he may just be on his way to becoming a three true outcome player, Benson's athleticism and peripheral numbers--especially a low BABIP and consistently high exit velocities--provide optimism if he can make necessary adjustments at the plate to become more consistent and hit more line drives. He profiles well in right field thanks to his plus arm and solid speed that plays better underway.
  
  The Future: Benson won't turn 21 until June but he is eventually going to have to demonstrate more hittability to reach his considerable ceiling. He'll try to take steps toward that in 2019 as he advances to high Class A Lynchburg.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #10 prospect in 2018
  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.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #7 prospect in 2017
  Benson began his senior year of high school by helping USA Baseball win the gold medal in the 18U World Cup in Japan. He ended it by being drafted 14th overall by the Indians. His spectacular senior year also included him leading The Westminster Schools to their first baseball state championship since 1975. He was a star basketball player for the Wildcats who earned second-team all-state honors as a forward. On the diamond, Benson stands out most for the elite bat speed his quick hands and strength produce. He turns that bat speed into well above-average lefthanded raw power. He is still learning how to get to that power more consistently and has worked to simplify his swing as a professional. When he struggles, he fails to use his lower half and his bat path gets too steep. He is an excellent athlete and runs well for his size, recording some plus times in the 60-yard dash, but he is slower out of the box and may lose a step as he physically matures. Benson 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, whom the Braves drafted 14th overall. Benson has a long way to go to reach that ceiling and will likely make his full-season debut at Class A Lake County in 2017.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #30 prospect in 2016 draft
  Benson has arguably the best bat speed in the class, prep or high school. He's a lefthanded hitter with a deep load and a barred lead arm in his swing. Benson showed plus-plus raw power throughout the summer, though his ability to get to his power is still a question due to concerns that some scouts have about his hitting ability. Benson does not consistently use his lower half, forcing him to commit to swinging at pitches early. His bat path can be a bit steep, leading to a tendency to roll over pitches and hit them on the ground with topspin. His measurables are solid, with a strong arm for right field and plus speed in the 60-yard dash, though his aggressive swing can cause him to get out of the box slowly, leading to below-average run times to first base. Benson's 6-foot-5 frame and Atlanta-area roots lead to comparisons to Jason Heyward, but the questions on hitting ability make him a boom-or-bust type of prospect. Benson values his academics and is committed to play at Duke.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Midwest League #20 prospect in 2019
  Benson had arguably the most pure raw power of any hitter to see the Midwest League this season, and now he's been faced with the challenge of channeling that muscle accordingly to balance out a strikeout rate that has continued to plague him. Back for his second look at the Midwest League, Benson made some adjustments at the plate. And while there were improvements throughout his plate presence, the swing-and-miss issues haven't disappeared quite yet. "I thought he made some adjustments,” one scout said. "Last year, I wasn’t sold and I’m still not completely sold. He swings and misses in the zone a lot, which is scary. Good athlete, and his defense was pretty good. He’s a right fielder but can play centerfield, if you need him too. He just has to clean up at the plate.” The Indians banked on Benson’s power, taking him in the first round of the 2016 draft. Now 20 years old, Benson’s power is still a factor, but the whiff rate is continuing to cast a shadow.
• 
  Ranked New York-Penn League #10 prospect in 2017
  Much as he was coming into the 2016 draft, Benson is an extremely intriguing outfielder with plus tools, but he still has a lot of refinement and improvements to make. Benson showed some of the best raw power in the league, but he only fully drives the ball when he gets his timing all synced up and uses his legs in his swing. That's still a consistent issue for him, one he's been working to fix for a couple of years now. The 225-pound Benson is an average runner out of the batter's box and shows above-average speed once he gets to full stride. He needs better routes, but he is a prototypical right fielder in the long run. Benson's advanced maturity and work ethic gives evaluators reason to think he can polish his swing and strike zone judgement as he enters his 20s.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Complex League #3 prospect in 2016
  Very few baseball players bring the same raw tools and physicality to the field as Benson, the 14th overall pick in 2016. He's still very raw and that lack of refinement showed during his pro debut. While his tremendous bat speed produces 70 raw power on the 20-80 scouting scale, Benson has a loopy swing at times. He doesn't always get his hips closed and get consistent separation, and he struggles to recognize spin. But he improved his timing during the season and worked on driving the ball to all fields. With elite bat speed, Benson squares up balls when he makes contact. Defensively, Benson gets good jumps and reads in the outfield and shows a plus arm. He moves well for his size with long strides that make him an average runner. Benson is a good teammate and works extremely hard. "He's probably one of the hardest workers on the field," Indians manager Anthony Medrano said. "You don't have to tell him twice . . . He's out there working all the time and does it on his own. You can tell that he wants to get better."

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: A heralded player coming out of the Atlanta prep ranks, Benson has long stood out for his athleticism and power. A first-round pick in 2016, he completed a long climb through the minor leagues in 2022 to make his major league debut as a 24-year-old.
  
  Scouting Report: Benson produces exceptional bat speed thanks to his strength and quick hands. He turns that bat speed into big lefthanded raw power, and has consistently ranked among the organization's home run leaders. He significantly cut his strikeout rate in 2022, dropping it to 22.7% after it had been 30.8% in the three previous full seasons. That newfound discipline didn't come at the expense of his ability to take walks, as his patience has always been a defining part of his approach. He has solid speed and is a threat on the bases. Benson primarily has played right field in the minor leagues but is capable of playing all three outfield positions and did so in Cleveland. His arm strength and speed make him a solid defender.
  
  The Future: Benson's combination of power and athleticism is exciting and he's worked hard to get to the major leagues. Whether he can turn that promise into a regular big league role will depend on his ability to make more consistent contact. Even if he ends up in a reserve role, he'll have value as a lefthanded hitter with power who can play all three outfield positions.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 45 Power: 60 Speed: 55 Fielding: 50 Arm: 50
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: A heralded player coming out of the Atlanta prep ranks, Benson has long stood out for his athleticism and power. A first-round pick in 2016, he completed a long climb through the minor leagues in 2022 to make his major league debut as a 24-year-old.
  
  Scouting Report: Benson produces exceptional bat speed thanks to his strength and quick hands. He turns that bat speed into big lefthanded raw power, and has consistently ranked among the organization's home run leaders. He significantly cut his strikeout rate in 2022, dropping it to 22.7% after it had been 30.8% in the three previous full seasons. That newfound discipline didn't come at the expense of his ability to take walks, as his patience has always been a defining part of his approach. He has solid speed and is a threat on the bases. Benson primarily has played right field in the minor leagues but is capable of playing all three outfield positions and did so in Cleveland. His arm strength and speed make him a solid defender.
  
  The Future: Benson's combination of power and athleticism is exciting and he's worked hard to get to the major leagues. Whether he can turn that promise into a regular big league role will depend on his ability to make more consistent contact. Even if he ends up in a reserve role, he'll have value as a lefthanded hitter with power who can play all three outfield positions.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 45 Power: 60 Speed: 55 Fielding: 50 Arm: 50
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  August Update: After years of flashing the tools that made him a first-round draft pick in 2016, Benson might have put last pieces of the puzzle into place. At Triple-A, he shown much better plate discipline, especially of late, without sacrificing the power that made him an attractive prospect as an amateur. The results have led to fewer strikeouts and his big league debut on Aug. 1.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A heralded prep player coming out of the Atlanta prep ranks, Benson has long stood out for his athleticism and power. He started 2019 repeating low Class A Lake County as a 20-year-old and excelled. He was leading the Midwest League with 18 home runs in 61 games when he was promoted to high Class A Lynchburg, but his performance took a step back in the Carolina League.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Benson produces exceptional bat speed thanks to his strength and quick hands and BA GRADE 40 Risk: Medium BA GRADE 50 Risk: Extreme BA GRADE 50 Risk: Extreme turns that bat speed into tremendous lefthanded raw power, rivaling Bobby Bradley for the best in the system. Benson has a patient, bordering on passive, approach at the plate that helps him draw walks but also means he works deep in counts, contributing to his high strikeout rate. While he may just be on his way to becoming a three true outcomes player, Benson shows enough athleticism and tools to provide optimism that he can make necessary adjustments to become more consistent. He profiles well in right field thanks to his plus arm and solid speed, particularly once he is underway.
  
  THE FUTURE: Benson’s ceiling remains considerable, but he’ll turn 22 in June and needs to show more hittability sooner than later to reach it. He’ll return to Lynchburg to get back on track in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A heralded prep player coming out of the Atlanta prep ranks, Benson has long stood out for his athleticism and power. He started 2019 repeating low Class A Lake County as a 20-year-old and excelled. He was leading the Midwest League with 18 home runs in 61 games when he was promoted to high Class A Lynchburg, but his performance took a step back in the Carolina League.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Benson produces exceptional 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. Benson has a patient, bordering on passive, approach at the plate that helps him draw walks but also means he works deep in counts, contributing to his high strikeout rate. While he may just be on his way to becoming a three true outcomes player, Benson shows enough athleticism and tools to provide optimism that he can make necessary adjustments to become more consistent. He profiles well in right field thanks to his plus arm and solid speed, particularly once he is underway.
  
  THE FUTURE: Benson's ceiling remains considerable, but he'll turn 22 in June and needs to show more hittability sooner than later to reach it. He'll return to Lynchburg to get back on track in 2020.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Benson had arguably the most pure raw power of any hitter to see the Midwest League this season, and now he's been faced with the challenge of channeling that muscle accordingly to balance out a strikeout rate that has continued to plague him. Back for his second look at the Midwest League, Benson made some adjustments at the plate. And while there were improvements throughout his plate presence, the swing-and-miss issues haven't disappeared quite yet. "I thought he made some adjustments,” one scout said. "Last year, I wasn’t sold and I’m still not completely sold. He swings and misses in the zone a lot, which is scary. Good athlete, and his defense was pretty good. He’s a right fielder but can play centerfield, if you need him too. He just has to clean up at the plate.” The Indians banked on Benson’s power, taking him in the first round of the 2016 draft. Now 20 years old, Benson’s power is still a factor, but the whiff rate is continuing to cast a shadow.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: 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. Scouting Report: Benson produces elite bat speed thanks to his strength and quick hands, and he turns that bat speed into tremendous raw power, rivaling Bobby Bradley for the best in the system. He is learning to get to that power more consistently and in 2017 led the short-season New York-Penn League in home runs (10). His power comes with a lot of swing-and-miss, however, and he has struck out in one-third of his plate appearances. He has frequently tinkered with his swing but seemed to be more comfortable in the second half. Those adjustments, as well as his ability to work a walk, led to some optimism that he will cut down his strikeout rate. He is an excellent athlete who runs well for his size, particularly once he is underway. He has a plus arm and is a solid defender in right field. The Future: As a physical, athletic, lefthanded-hitting outfielder from Atlanta, Benson is often compared with Jason Heyward. Benson has a long way to go to reach his ceiling and will advance to full-season ball when he opens 2018 at low Class A Lake County.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Benson began his senior year of high school by helping USA Baseball win the gold medal in the 18U World Cup in Japan. He ended it by being drafted 14th overall by the Indians. His spectacular senior year also included him leading The Westminster Schools to their first baseball state championship since 1975. He was a star basketball player for the Wildcats who earned second-team all-state honors as a forward. Scouting Report: On the diamond, Benson stands out most for the elite bat speed his quick hands and strength produce. He turns that bat speed into well above-average lefthanded raw power. He is still learning how to get to that power more consistently and has worked to simplify his swing as a professional. When he struggles, he fails to use his lower half and his bat path gets too steep. He is an excellent athlete and runs well for his size, recording some plus times in the 60-yard dash, but he is slower out of the box and may lose a step as he physically matures. Benson has a plus arm and is a solid defender in right field.
  
  The Future: As a big, athletic, lefthanded-hitting outfielder from Atlanta, Benson is often compared with Jason Heyward, whom the Braves drafted 14th overall. Benson has a long way to go to reach that ceiling and will likely make his full-season debut at Class A Lake County in 2017.