Will Benson #30

Selected in the 1st round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians out of Westminster High School in Atlanta, Georgia... attended the Westminster Schools in Atlanta, where as a senior in 2016 he hit .454 with 11 doubles, eight HR, 41 RBIs and a 1.380 OPS... that season was named a Rawlings Perfect Game All-American... in 2015 played in the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars summer showcase, the Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field and the WBSC 18U Baseball World Cup in Nishinomiya, Japan as a member of the USA 18U National Team... before he signed with Cleveland had signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Duke...Gordan Beckham also attended Westminster Schools... his father, Ted, played basketball at Purdue... made his Major League debut with the Guardians on Aug. 1, 2022... Cleveland traded Benson to the Cincinnati Reds for OF Justin Boyd and cash on Feb. 8, 2023

2023

Cleveland traded Benson to the Cincinnati Reds for OF Justin Boyd and cash on Feb. 8, 2023

2022

Was a non-roster invitee to the Indians’ Major League spring training camp...Spent most of the season at Class AAA Columbus...Was International League Player of the Month for July (23g, .371, 8 2b, 2 3b, 5hr, 11rbi, 3sb, 1.155 OPS)...When promoted to the Guardians on 8/1 was leading the International League in on-base percentage, walks and runs scored, was tied for the IL lead in OPS and ranked fourth in both extra-base hits and total bases...Made his Major League debut in an 11-inning, 6-5 walk-off win on 8/1 vs the Diamondbacks...with two outs in the bottom of the 10th pinch hit against Mark Melancon and grounded out...began the 11th as the runner on second base and scored the winning run on Amed Rosario’s 1-out, RBI-single... Collected his first career hit and RBI on 8/10 at Det, his seventh appearance...in the second inning of the 3-2 win produced a run scoring-single off Victor Reyes.

2021

Split the season between AA Akron and AAA Columbus, leading the organization in walks and ranking fourth in home runs (17) and runs scored (70)...Also tied for a system-high six triples... Combined on the year, he batted .206 (73-for-355) with 18 2B, 6 3B, 17 HR, 51 RBI and 14 SB (.349/.434/.782)... Best month in Akron was July, batting .250 (22-for-88) with 5 2B, 7 HR, 11 RBI and a .911 OPS in 25 games (21 runs)... Was tied for second in the Double-A Northeast League in runs in July... Promoted to AAA Columbus on August 20...At the time of his promotion he was second in the AA NE League in walks (60) and triples (T2nd, 5), third in runs (63) and seventh in on-base percentage (.374)... Spent the remainder of the season with the Clippers... Split time between all three outfield positions, making 31 starts apiece in LF, CF and RF... Was a member of the Minor League Depth Camp during ML Spring Training, appearing in 19 Cactus League exhibition games and homered on March 9 at Texas... Has never been on IL in pro career...Named as best athlete in the system by Baseball America.

2020

Spent season on co-op in Constellation Energy League, appearing in 24 games (also pitched two games).

2019

Led Lake County in home runs (18), 2nd on the team in runs batted in (55), and 3rd in extra-base hits (33)…Named MiLB.com Organizational All-Star.

2018

Voted Best Athlete in Cleveland Farm System by Baseball America entering 2019 season…Named Midwest League Mid-Season All-Star…Led the Midwest League in home runs (22), finished 3rd in walks (82) and tied for 9th in games played (123)…Led Lake County in home runs (22), RBI (58), walks (82), games played (123) and runs (54).

2017

Tied for New York-Penn League lead with 10 home runs...Also led league in HR/AB ratio (1/20.20) and ranked 3rd in RBI (36)…Named Best Athlete in CLE organization entering 2018 by BA.