Will Benson DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Will Benson was optioned to Triple-A Louisville. Benson was competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster but will instead begin his 2025 campaign in the minor leagues. Benson struggled at the plate last season as he held an underwhelming .187/.274/.376 slash line with 14 home runs and 16 stolen bases. He generated a poor .268 xwOBA with a .180 xBA. This was a sharp decline when looking at the .275/.365/.498 slash line with 11 home runs and 19 stolen bases. During that campaign, Benson generated a solid 42.3 percent hard-hit rate and drew walks at an elite 12.2 percent rate. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression at Triple-A as he should be in the mix to return to the big leagues as an injury replacement. When he does get the call, he could be worth a look in deeper NL-only leagues, given his ability to hit for power and steal bases.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Will Benson could open the season in the minor leagues. Given the depth in the Cincinnati outfield, Benson may be on the outside, given his poor performance in the majors last season. However, manager Terry Francona did note that the 26-year-old will be given opportunities in the spring. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his performance in spring training as it will likely provide clarity on where he will open the campaign. Last season, the former 14th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft posted a poor .187/.274/.376 line with 14 home runs and 16 stolen bases across 128 games. This was a sharp decline from the .275/.365/.498 line he held during the 2023 campaign. He will compete for a corner outfield spot alongside Stuart Fairchild, Santiago Espinal, and Blake Dunn during camp.

According to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Will Benson has reworked his swing during the offseason. Rosecrans noted that the 26-year-old had done this to give him a better opportunity to earn a role in a crowded outfield. Last season, Benson took a significant step back as he held a .187/.275/.376 slash line with 19 doubles, 14 home runs, and 16 stolen bases. In 2023, Benson posted a strong .275/.365/.489 line with 11 home runs and 19 stolen bases. In 2024, Benson generated a 40.1 percent hard-hit rate and a hefty 39.7 percent strikeout rate, both worse than his 2023 production. During the offseason, the Reds added Austin Hays to their outfield and have expressed interest in moving Matt McLain to center field. In addition, the Reds also have Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl, and Jake Fraley in their outfield. As a result, Benson will need to perform very well in spring training to open the season with a starting role.