Will Benson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Will Benson
Benson with the Louisville Bats in 2023
Cincinnati Reds – No. 30
Outfielder
Born: (1998-06-16) June 16, 1998 (age 27) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Bats: Left Throws: Left
debut
August 1, 2022, for the Cleveland Guardians
MLB statistics (through July 12, 2025)
Batting average	.223
Home runs	33
Runs batted in	103
Teams
Cleveland Guardians (2022) Cincinnati Reds (2023–present)
Medals Men's baseball Representing USA U-18 Baseball World Cup Gold 2015 Osaka Team

William Buchanan Benson (born June 16, 1998) is a professional baseball player from the United States. He plays as an outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before joining the Reds, he played for the Cleveland Guardians. Will was first chosen by the Cleveland Indians in the 2016 MLB draft and started playing in MLB in 2022.

Baseball Career Highlights

Starting with the Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians picked Will Benson in the first round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. He was the 14th player chosen overall. At the time, he was attending The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Georgia. Will had planned to play college baseball at Duke University. However, he decided to sign with the Indians instead, receiving a $2.5 million bonus.

Before starting his professional career, Will also played for the United States national under-18 baseball team. This team won the gold medal at the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup.

Early Professional Years

Will Benson began his professional baseball journey in 2016. He played for the Rookie-level Arizona League Indians. In 44 games, he had a .209 batting average, hit six home runs, and brought in 27 runs.

In 2017, he moved to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. He played 56 games, batting .238 with ten home runs and 36 runs batted in. The next year, 2018, he played for the Lake County Captains. He hit 22 home runs and had 58 runs batted in over 123 games, though his batting average was .180.

Will started the 2019 season again with the Lake County Captains. He played very well, hitting 18 home runs and bringing in 55 runs in 62 games. On April 18, 2019, he had an amazing game where he hit four home runs! After this strong start, he was moved up to the Lynchburg Hillcats. In 61 games with Lynchburg, his performance was not as strong.

In 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Will played in a special independent league called the Constellation Energy League. He played 24 games there. In 2021, he played for the Akron RubberDucks and later for the Columbus Clippers.

Making it to Major League Baseball

In 2022, Will Benson played 89 games in Triple-A and had a .279 batting average. The Cleveland Guardians, who were formerly the Indians, called him up to the major leagues on August 1. On August 10, Will got his very first MLB hit. It was a single that brought in a run against the Detroit Tigers. He played in 61 times at bat for the Guardians that year.

Playing for the Cincinnati Reds

On February 8, 2023, Will Benson was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. He started the 2023 season with the Reds. After a short time, he was sent to the Louisville Bats, a minor league team. On June 7, Will hit his first major league home run. It was a special "walk-off" home run, meaning it won the game for his team against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

During the 2023 season, Will played in 108 games for the Reds. He had a strong batting average of .275, hit 11 home runs, and stole 19 bases.

In 2024, Will played in 128 games for Cincinnati. He hit 14 home runs and had 43 runs batted in. He also stole 16 bases.

Will started the 2025 season with the Triple-A Louisville Bats. He was called up to play for the Reds in Cincinnati twice in April and May. From May 15 to May 18, he hit a home run in four games in a row, and the Reds won all those games! Will was named the National League Player of the Week for his excellent play during that time. He batted .526, hit five home runs, and brought in 10 runs in just one week. This was his first time winning this award.

Personal Life

Will Benson is married to Lindsey, and they have a son.

Will's father, Ted, played college basketball for the Purdue Boilermakers. Will also has a mother and a sister. He had an older brother, Theodore Charles, who passed away when he was five years old.

Will has been friends since childhood with fellow MLB player Xzavion Curry. He also enjoys playing chess and has played with former teammates like Steven Kwan and Joey Votto.

Before he signed with the Cleveland team, Will had also planned to try out for the Duke Blue Devils basketball team.

Images for kids

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  Benson with Louisville in 2025