Will Benson | Just Call Him Mr. Clutch Because He Has Most 9th-Inning Homers Since 2023

Will Benson | Just Call Him Mr. Clutch Because He Has Most 9th-Inning Homers Since 2023

The Cincinnati Reds team is filled with young talent, and second-year outfielder Will Benson is a player who has quickly made a name for himself with only 140 games played and 357 at-bats since he broke in with the Cleveland Guardians in 2022. 

 

Going into his second year with the team, Benson will continue to grow as a player and help make an impact the best way he can.

 

The 25-year-old has wasted no time so far this season doing that. Through four games this season, Benson has a .333 batting average with a home run and three RBI. 

 

On March 31, he had arguably the most important hit of the game against the Washington Nationals.

 

 

With his team down 5-3 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Benson came up to the plate looking to extend the game.

 

And he did just that, on the very first pitch of the at-bat he launched a 411-foot bomb to center to tie the game up. 

 

 

The Reds ended up winning 6-5. 

 

Just Call Benson Mr. Clutch

 

The Georgia native has come through in clutch situations for Cincinnati since joining the team last year.

 

When Benson hit that game-tying bomb in the ninth inning against the Nationals, it was his sixth home run hit in the ninth inning dating back to last season, which is the most home runs hit in the ninth by any player dating back to the 2023 season. 

 

His first big league home run was a walk-off solo shot against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning on June 7, 2023.

 

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You better believe that when the game is on the line, Benson wants to be up in the batter’s box. He has the power to end the game on one swing.

 

Benson becoming an important piece of Reds’ lineup

 

The Reds have certainly benefited from acquiring Benson via trade with the Cleveland Indians. Benson was highly sought after out of high school and was the 14th overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Indians.

 

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During the 2023 season, Benson had a very impressive season, hitting .275 with 11 home runs and 31 RBI through 108 games played. Watching him play in Cincinnati last year, you can immediately see how passionate he is and how he leaves it all on the field every time he goes out there.

 

And that is the type of player you want on your team and in the clubhouse. He’s also versatile and can play multiple positions in the outfield. The Reds are a team that can compete in the NL Central this season. Benson fits right in as a key building block, blossoming at the right time.

 

The sky’s the limit for this 26-year-old and he can certainly have a long and successful career in this league.