Mr. Opportunity Knocks, Will Benson Answers

Benson was farmed out in spring training. Francona told him that this was not a punishment.

“There is a good player in there. He has to go play,” Francona said.

Benson, who was a first selection of the then-named-Indians, while Francona was in Cleveland.

“I felt bad because we didn’t put him in a situation to succeed. I told him that I felt bad about that,” Francona said this spring.

Benson had a horrific 2024, striking out 39% of the time. He was caught looking in 42% of those strikeouts. He was a mess all season and managed a .157 average and struck out a whopping 154 times. He managed to hit 19 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, and drove in 43. He also drew 40 walks but had a .247 on-base percentage, well below the league average.

The spring of 2025 was a big spring for Benson.

He played 31 games in Louisville, hitting .289 with five doubles, a triple, seven home runs, and driving in 29. He still struck out 40 times or 29% of his plate appearances, but he also took 36 walks, and his OBP improved to .377.

The Reds brought him up briefly in April and he struck out four times in his only start before returning to Louisville. This time Benson, albeit, in a small sample size is having success going a long way to building back his confidence.

"He was dying for an opportunity. A lot of times when a guy goes down, I don't want to say pouts, it's human nature, it's like a kick in the stomach. He probably did the opposite of that. He went and played., Francona said. "He shows up every day ready to play. You're not going to get a hit every night. He is trying to make the most of the opportunity."

Benson, who has homered in three consecutive games, is going into the series finale against his former team.

The 26-year-old Benson has had a torrid week with the Reds, slashing .364/.470/1,304. He has eight key RBI and made some really good plays in the outfield. He victimized the Guardians with a three-run home run in a 5-4 win on Friday and tied the game with a home run in the 4-1 Reds' victory on Saturday.

Benson understands the second chance that he is getting from working in the minor leagues.

"I looked at it as an opportunity to lock in my routine," said Benson, who has also played good defense. "I'm thankful for the opportunity to play every day. No, it was more special about beating them. I've kind of gotten past that revenge. I was joking about that today. I'm having breakfast with Kwan in the morning. We'll have a good laugh."

Mr. Opportunity is in the house.