Will Benson Bio
William Buchanan Benson (born June 16, 1998) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball. He has previously played in MLB for the Cleveland Guardians organization. Benson was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the 2016 MLB draft and made his major league debut in August 2022. Known for his blend of power and speed, Benson has emerged as a notable young talent in the National League.
Early Life and Background
William Buchanan Benson grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended The Westminster Schools. His athletic family background includes his father, Ted Benson, who played college basketball for the Purdue Boilermakers. Before focusing entirely on baseball, Benson planned to walk on for the Duke Blue Devils basketball team before signing with Cleveland. He also has an older brother, Theodore Charles, who died as a young child after being hit by a school bus.
Benson represented the United States on the under-18 national team, helping the squad win the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup held in Osaka. His performance during the event showcased the tools that would make him a top draft prospect. Benson was highly regarded coming out of high school, earning recognition as one of the top prep players in Georgia.
Path to Professional Baseball
Benson was selected by the Cleveland Indians with the 14th overall pick in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. He had committed to play college baseball at Duke University but ultimately chose to sign with Cleveland for a $2.5 million signing bonus. The selection represented a significant investment in his potential as a power-speed combination player from the outfield.
He made his professional debut that same year with the Rookie-level Arizona League Indians. Benson posted a .209 batting average with six home runs and 27 runs batted in across 44 games. The following year, he advanced to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the Low-A New York-Penn League, where he improved to a .238 average with ten home runs and 36 RBI in 56 games.
By 2018 with the Lake County Captains in the Single-A South Atlantic League, Benson displayed his power potential by hitting 22 home runs and driving in 58 runs despite a lower batting average of .180 across 123 games. His most impressive minor league moment came on April 18, 2019, when he hit four home runs in a single game while with Lake County. He was promoted to the Lynchburg Hillcats in June but struggled in the higher classification, batting only .189 over 61 games, a stretch that caused him to consider leaving baseball entirely.
Will Benson Career
Cleveland Guardians Era (2022)
Benson spent most of 2022 with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, where he batted .279 in 89 games. The Guardians selected his contract on August 1, bringing him to the major leagues for the first time. He collected his first career MLB hit on August 10, an RBI single off Drew Hutchison of the Detroit Tigers. Benson appeared in 21 games for Cleveland that season, batting .182 with 19 strikeouts in 61 plate appearances.
Cincinnati Reds Era (2023-Present)
Benson was traded to the Cincinnati Reds on February 8, 2023, in exchange for minor league outfielder Justin Boyd and pitcher Steve Hajjar. He began the season with the big league club but was demoted to the Louisville Bats after collecting just one hit in eight games. His season turned dramatically on June 7, 2023, when he hit his first major league home run as a walk-off against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Benson finished the year with 108 games played, slashing .275/.365/.498 with 11 home runs, 31 RBI, and 19 stolen bases, demonstrating the five-tool potential that made him a top prospect.
The 2024 campaign proved more challenging for Benson. He played in 128 games for Cincinnati, but his numbers dipped to .187/.274/.376 with 14 home runs, 43 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. His strikeout rate climbed to nearly 40 percent of plate appearances, up from 31 percent the previous year, indicating areas for refinement in his approach at the plate.
To begin 2025, Benson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville to start the season. He received two separate call-ups to Cincinnati, first from April 8 to 12, then again on May 9. He responded with a remarkable stretch, homering in four consecutive games from May 15 to 18, with all four games resulting in Reds victories. Benson was named National League Player of the Week for the eighth week of the season after going 10-for-19 with five home runs and 10 RBI, becoming the first Reds player to win the award since Rece Hinds. He spent additional time in the minors during August before returning to Cincinnati when the team designated Jake Fraley for assignment.
Playing Style and Strengths
Benson projects as a corner outfielder with plus power and above-average speed. His combination of raw power and baserunning ability gives him the potential to impact games in multiple facets. He has worked to reduce his strikeout rate while maintaining his ability to drive the ball to all fields. Defensively, he plays both corner outfield positions and brings strong arm strength.
Notable Events and Milestones
Benson’s first major league home run on June 7, 2023, stands as a defining moment of his career thus far. The walk-off shot against the Dodgers provided an electric introduction to Reds fans and demonstrated his ability to deliver in clutch situations. His National League Player of the Week honor in May 2025 marked the first recognition of that caliber in his young major league career.
Will Benson Career Wins and Statistics
Across his MLB career through May 31, 2026, Benson has compiled a .220 batting average with 39 home runs and 123 runs batted in. His most productive professional season came in 2023 with the Reds, where he established himself as an everyday player with a strong on-base percentage and 19 stolen bases.
MLB Statistical Highlights
His best season to date remains 2023, when he hit .275 with an .863 OPS, 11 home runs, and 31 RBI while also swiping 19 bases. The 2024 season provided learning experiences as he adjusted to the leaguewide adjustments opposing teams made against him. His 2025 campaign showed flashes of the player he can become with consistent at-bats and rhythm in the lineup.
Minor League and International Achievements
Before reaching the majors, Benson won a gold medal as part of the United States under-18 national team that captured the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup in Osaka. His four-homer game with Lake County in April 2019 remains one of the most impressive single-game performances of his professional career. His power-speed combination was evident throughout his minor league tenure, particularly during his 22-homer season with Lake County in 2018.
| Competition Level | Games | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Baseball (Career) | Various | .220 | 39 | 123 |
Will Benson Family
Family Background
Benson comes from an athletic family. His father, Ted Benson, played college basketball for the Purdue Boilermakers. He has an older brother, Theodore Charles, who tragically died as a five-year-old after being hit by a school bus. He also has a mother and a sister who have supported his baseball career throughout his journey.
Personal Life
Benson is married to his wife, Lindsey, and together they have a son. Outside of baseball, Benson enjoys playing chess and has been known to play the game with former teammates Steven Kwan and longtime Reds veteran Joey Votto. He has been friends since childhood with fellow MLB player Xzavion Curry, who also appeared with the Guardians in 2022 and made his major league debut just 14 days after Benson.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has represented a significant chapter in Benson’s development. After beginning the year in the minors, he earned two call-ups to Cincinnati and delivered a memorable stretch in mid-May when he homered in four consecutive games during Reds victories. His hot streak culminated in him earning National League Player of the Week honors for the eighth week of the season.
Benson went 10-for-19 during that award-winning week, launching five home runs and driving in ten runs. The performance demonstrated the ceiling he possesses when he gets comfortable at the plate and gets extended looks in the lineup. His ability to hit for power and work counts made him a key contributor during his time with the big club.
The season has featured challenges alongside the highlights. Time spent in Triple-A has allowed him to refine his approach and work on reducing his strikeout rate, which climbed significantly during the 2024 season. The Reds have shown confidence in his long-term potential, giving him opportunities to contribute when called upon. As the organization continues to build toward competitiveness, Benson remains a player with the tools to be part of their future core.