Height
6'4"
Weight
230 lbs
Age
27
College
N/A
Draft
2016, Rd 1, #14
Experience
4 yrs
Bats/Throws
L/L
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsD+
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 354 | 0.224 | 37 | 118 | 0.720 | 37 | 205 |
| 2026 | | 1 | .000 | 0 | — | .000 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
Total Value
$1.7M
Guaranteed
$1.0M
AAV
$1.7M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
Will Benson's one-year, $1.7M deal with the Reds earns a strong B+ CVI, representing excellent value for a rotational outfielder who's shown intriguing upside despite inconsistent playing time. At just $1.7M AAV, Cincinnati is getting a cost-controlled swing for the fences on a player whose raw power and defensive versatility in the corner outfield spots provide meaningful roster flexibility. Benson's ability to impact games in limited at-bats — whether as a platoon piece against righties or late-game defensive replacement — makes this the type of low-risk, high-reward bet that smart front offices should be making regularly. The Reds' competitive window is still developing, making this exactly the kind of depth signing that allows them to allocate bigger dollars elsewhere while maintaining organizational depth. For a rotational player in today's market, securing someone with Benson's athletic profile and remaining developmental ceiling at barely above league minimum represents shrewd roster construction. This deal screams organizational intelligence rather than flashy headline-grabbing, but those are often the moves that separate contenders from pretenders.
Performance Analysis
Will Benson grades as an above average performer among MLB left fielders, earning a B Performance grade. He is hitting with a 0.224 batting average and a 0.720 OPS (near the league average of .720) this season. With 37 home runs and 118 RBI through 354 games (a 17-HR, 54-RBI pace over a full season), he brings moderate power to the lineup. His 37 stolen bases add an elite speed dimension that creates additional offensive value. As a player entering his prime window at 27, Will is a key contributor for the Reds. A 354-game sample provides high confidence in this grade.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 4/10 | vs LAA | L 2-10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Wed, 4/8 | @ MIA | L 4-7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Transaction History
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