Prospect of the Day: Joe Benson, OF, Minnesota Twins

by John Sickels on Sep 19, 2011 8:00 AM EDT

Prospect of the Day: Joe Benson, OF, Minnesota Twins

2011 was a disaster for the Minnesota Twins, but outfield prospect Joe Benson provides some hope for the future. He will see regular action for the rest of this season, positioning himself for a shot at a full-time job in 2012.

Benson has been on a gradual-development path. Drafted in the second round from 2006 from high school in Joliet, Illinois, Benson was considered raw but quite toolsy when drafted. He hit .260/.335/.444 for the Gulf Coast Twins after signing, but posted a pair of so-so seasons in the Low-A Midwest League in 2007 (.255/.347/.368) and 2008 (.248/.326/.382) for Beloit. A back injury limited him to 89 games in 2009 but he hit .285/.414/.403 in the High-A Florida State League. He combined to hit .259/.343/.538 with 27 homers and 19 steals between High-A and Double-A in 2010. This year he hit .284/.387/.491 with 16 homers and 14 steals in Double-A, although he missed a month with a knee injury.

Benson is a 6-1, 205 pound right-handed hitter and thrower, 23 years old. A football star in high school, he has the speed/strength combination you might expect given his background. Scouts have always loved his tools: he has above-average speed, an above-average throwing arm, and well-above-average home power.

His biggest problem has been simple rawness: he was a cold-weather high school player with a multisport background, and it has taken him time to develop a modicum of plate discipline and pick up the nuances of the game. He handles fastballs well, but still struggles at times against breaking pitches. Benson is a skilled defensive outfielder with enough arm for right field and enough range for center.

The general expectation is that Benson will hit for considerable power (20+ homers), provide occasional stolen bases (15-20 per year, until his speed starts to decline, depending on how aggressive with him Ron Gardenhire is), and show off a good glove, but that his batting average and OBP could be erratic. The Twins should have at least one open outfield spot entering 2012, and Benson will be at the top of the list for the job opportunity in spring training, especially if his September trial goes well.

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keep or trade; CF or RF?

Sounds a lot like Chris Heisey of the Reds – a guy whose power/speed combo would play very well in center, but may be forced to a corner due to an incumbent (Span in Minnesota, Stubbs in Cincinnati).

Do you think the Twins see him as their next CF if they trade Span, or would they go with Ben Revere in CF and put Benson on a corner?

by ColonelTom on Sep 19, 2011 9:47 AM EDT reply actions

Hopefully by 2014...

Benson is in RF, with Hicks in CF and Arcia or Morales in LF.

Revere converted to a 2b or traded, and Span traded (and NOT for a closer).

by DJSkillz on Sep 19, 2011 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

How about for a set-up man?

"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"

by U-God on Sep 19, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Revere in Left, Benson and Span in Center and Morales/ Arcia in right

Span can platoon at all 3 spots to keep him starting most of the time.

Liriano, Mijares, Angel Morales, & Anthony Swarzak for Josh Johnson and Brad Hand

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Sep 19, 2011 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Span to the Nats

for one of Desmond/Lombardozzi and one of Clippard/Storen would make sense for both teams.

by ColonelTom on Sep 19, 2011 6:46 PM EDT reply actions

ugh… a good MIF and a closer for span? dont see that happening

by Noah McKinnie Braun on Sep 19, 2011 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Benson's speed

All reports I have read are that Benson is the second fastest player in the Twins’ organization, including the Majors, and profiles as a plus defender even in center field. I’d rather see him make the Twins’ opening day roster than Revere due to having better tools in every area except speed (and supposedly he’s not too far behind) and ability to hit for average. He’s raw, but he’s not all that young as prospects go and the alternatives aren’t that great.

by Chris Holm on Sep 20, 2011 11:01 AM EDT reply actions