The Cincinnati Reds have Optioned Will Benson to the Louisville Bats in Triple-A to start his season. The Reds made this decision ahead of their Cactus League game today against the Kansas City Royals. With the addition of Austin Hays and Gavin Lux, the new Reds Manager Terry Francona more options. He has to decide what to do when Spencer Steer returns for this lineup. These options have afforded him the option to send Benson to Louisville to work on his approach at the plate.
Purchase tickets via Ticketsmaster
Will Benson – OF
The Cincinnati Reds have optioned Will Benson to Triple-A to start the year with the Louisville Bats. Benson struggled to hit for average with the Reds last summer. He will begin the 2025 season in the Minors. Benson had 25 at-bats by the end of camp. Benson scored four runs and had five hits. He hit two home runs with three RBIs. He also had one stolen base and a .200 batting average. Last year, he played in 128 games for the Reds because TJ Friedl was injured. This injury created space in the lineup. In those games, he had a .187 batting average and a slash line of .274/.376/.650. He showed some pop with 14 home runs, 19 doubles, and 43 RBIs on the year. Unfortunately in 343 at-bats he also struck out 154 times just over 44% of his trips to the dish.
Get Your Inside The Diamonds Merchandise Here
Summary
Benson has talent. He needs to go to Triple-A. There, he can work on his plate discipline and try cutting down on his strikeouts. The Reds picked up Austin Hays this off-season. They also have TJ Friedl back. Therefore, Benson making the opening-day roster was never a sure thing anyway. Stuart Fairchild will be the 3rd outfielder. Jake Fraley will be the 4th outfielder to start the year for the Reds. The Reds head into the final stages of Spring Training. They are finalizing what the roster will look like. They will take on the San Francisco Giants to kick off the season at home. The Reds should be a team that will surprise some folks this year. They are preparing to push the NL Central division foes all year long. They hope to reach the postseason.
