The Cincinnati Reds may be quietly becoming known for offering second chances, and outfielder Will Benson is looking to make the most of his.
Take Reds third baseman Noelvi Marte, for example. Once weighed down by high expectations and an 80-game PED suspension, Marte has fought his way back into the starting lineup, now showing the promise that made him a key figure in the Luis Castillo trade of 2022. Now, Benson, a former top prospect, is aiming to follow a similar path from disappointment to redemption.
After a brief and frustrating stint with the Reds earlier this season, where he went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in his lone game, Benson has since been sent back to the team’s Triple-A affiliate, the Louisville Bats. Since returning to the minors, he has refocused and is showing signs of improvement.
Through 25 games with Louisville, Benson is batting .283/.366/.515 with five home runs, 23 RBIs, and four stolen bases. His .888 OPS reflects not just growth but a real impact, leaving many wondering how long the Reds can keep him in Triple-A.
Benson’s career has been a mix of flashes of brilliance and inconsistency. Over eight seasons in the minors, he has hit 102 home runs and stolen 101 bases, still hinting at untapped potential. However, those highs have often been overshadowed by strikeouts and stretches of unpredictability.
In 2025, however, Benson may be in his best position yet. The Reds’ outfield situation remains uncertain, especially with performance questions throughout the roster. With Benson showing better plate discipline and the ability to hit for both power and average, he is making a compelling case for a return to the big leagues.
While it’s too soon to tell if Benson can completely shed the “Quad-A” label often given to fringe players, his performance in Louisville suggests he is rewriting his story with every at-bat.
