Struggling to keep spot, Reds' Will Benson makes MLB history, scores two runs on zero pitches originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cincinnati Reds have a decision to make on their outfield personnel.
Reds left fielder Will Benson earned a job out of spring training and established an MLB-first Sunday by scoring two runs without seeing one pitch.
Without one official at-bat during the 7-4, 10-inning win over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field, Benson produced his best offensive outing this season. In his opening 18 games, he posted an .188 batting average and three runs scored.
In and out of the Reds' lineup the past four seasons, the 27-year-old has yet to match his 2023 form when he collected 11 home runs in 108 games. In 2024, he hit just .187 in 343 at-bats. Last year, he again was up and down, hitting .226, but homered 12 times.
The Reds added free agent JJ Bleday to a one-year, $1.4 million contract last offseason to compete with Benson and Nathaniel Lowe for outfield spots during spring training.
Bleday lost out, mainly because he had minor-league options available and the power and speed potential Benson possesses remained intriguing. Bleday may force the Reds' front office into giving him a promotion soon, especially if Benson continues to slump. The 2019 No. 4 overall draft pick hit .338 with five home runs and 18 RBI in 20 games with Triple-A Louisville.
Benson may need a few more performances like Sunday to keep his MLB spot. He entered the game as a pinch runner in the ninth inning and scored on TJ Friedl's three-run double. In the 10th, Benson drew an intentional walk and scored on Rece Hinds' two-run double, which capped the scoring.
Winners of four in a row, the Reds (15-8) topped the host Tampa Bay Rays, 6-1, on Monday. The NL Central leaders earned four straight wins.