Will Benson
OF CIN
Mon 3/4/24 9:50 AM

Benson went 1-for-3 with an RBI-double in Sunday's spring game against the Royals.
EDGE Analysis
Benson collected his first hit off a left-hander this spring, which has been an area of focus for the lefty-swinging outfielder, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "I requested that when I first showed up at spring training," Benson said. "If I'm going to be the best player that I know I can possibly be, I need to be playing regardless of who is on that mound." During a strong 2023 season, Benson was often rested against southpaws. In 44 plate appearances, he batted .146 with 14 strikeouts.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Sun 2/25/24 11:09 AM

Benson started in left field and went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Saturday's spring game against Cleveland.
EDGE Analysis
While there will be competition for outfield spots this season, Benson appears to have an inside track. That's a marked difference from last spring when he had to play his way onto the roster. The lefty batter then went 1-for-20 with 12 strikeouts over his first eight games and was back in the minors by mid-April. He returned to the majors a month later, and Benson batted .292 with 11 homers, 31 RBI and a .915 OPS over his final 100 games. He told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com the end result from last season gave him more confidence entering 2024. Benson is part of the outfield mix that includes Jake Fraley, TJ Friedl and Spencer Steer.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Sun 10/1/23 10:12 PM

Benson went 3-for-4 with one stolen base and one run scored in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Cardinals.
EDGE Analysis
Benson went 7-for-16 with four steals across his last five games of the season. The outfielder was able to play semi-regularly in 2023, holding down a strong-side platoon role. He posted a .275/.365/.498 slash line with 11 home runs, 19 steals, 31 RBI, 51 runs scored, 15 doubles and eight triples across 329 plate appearances in his first year with the Reds.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Wed 9/27/23 9:42 AM

Benson went 0-for-3 with two stolen bases in Tuesday's 11-7 win over the Guardians.
EDGE Analysis
While his activity on the basepaths didn't lead to any runs for the Reds, Benson still managed to contribute some fantasy value. The 25-year-old outfielder is stumbling to the finish line on the regular season, batting .160 (4-for-25) over 11 games since his last multi-hit performance, but he's still had something of a breakout in 2023 with 11 homers, 17 steals and an .847 OPS in 316 plate appearances, primarily in a strong-side platoon role.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Sat 9/23/23 3:11 PM

Benson will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Pirates.
EDGE Analysis
Benson's off day against lefty Bailey Falter means he's now been on the bench against nine consecutive southpaws. Stuart Fairchild will be Saturday's right fielder.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Mon 9/18/23 10:08 PM

Benson went 1-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and one run scored in Monday's 7-3 win over the Twins.
EDGE Analysis
Benson smoked a 408-foot, two-run homer to center in the fourth inning for his 11th of the year. He also knocked in an additional RBI via a sacrifice fly earlier in the second. The 25-year-old is having a breakout season, batting .268 with 11 home runs and 15 steals in 261 at-bats.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Sun 9/17/23 12:58 PM

Benson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.
EDGE Analysis
Benson sits against most left-handed starting pitchers, and that's the case again Sunday with veteran Jose Quintana on the mound for New York. Nick Senzel is manning left field and batting second.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Fri 9/15/23 2:46 PM

Benson is out of the lineup Friday against the Mets.
EDGE Analysis
Left-hander David Peterson will toe the slab for New York on Friday, so the lefty-hitting Benson will head to the bench. TJ Friedl, Harrison Bader and Hunter Renfroe will serve as the Reds' starting outfielders.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Wed 9/13/23 2:24 PM

Benson is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.
EDGE Analysis
The Reds are facing a lefty for the second day in a row and Benson has been absent from the lineup both times. He did receive two plate appearances off the bench Tuesday, so perhaps he'll make another mid-game appearance Wednesday.

Will Benson
OF CIN
Tue 9/12/23 1:26 PM

Benson is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Tigers.
EDGE Analysis
Benson went 3-for-4 with a homer and a double in Sunday's series finale against the Cardinals, but he'll ride the pine in Tuesday's series opener at Detroit with left-hander Joey Wentz on the bump. Benson, 25, has batted just .152/.222/.212 in 36 plate appearances versus lefties this year.