Get to Know: Joe Benson
First things first… I will be on KFAN, on
The Paul Allen Show at 9:55 this morning to talk about the Twins. You can find
it online at www.KFAN.com, on its many
affiliates, and please remember, that KFAN is now on
100.3 FM in the Twin Cities. So, tune in if you are able, or download the
podcast later.
The Twins should be calling up Joe Benson
today. There are many reasons. I’m sure the Twins brass was considering whether
to call him up in September anyway. But right now, the Twins need an
outfielder. Obviously Delmon Young was traded earlier
this week. Jason Repko is on the Disabled List. We
know that Luke Hughes is coming up today and that either Michael Cuddyer or Denard Span will be
going on the Disabled List. The fact that they’re not sure which one tells me
that neither of them will be available tonight. Jason Kubel
will be unavailable at least for tonight due to some family reasons. Matt
Tolbert can’t swing a bat, so he isn’t really even an outfield option. So, if
my calculations are correct, tonight against CC Sabathia,
the Twins three outfield options are Ben Revere, Rene Tosoni
and Trevor Plouffe with no fourth outfielder
available. Two of them are left-handed, so good luck against CC!
Why Joe Benson and not someone at AAA like Brian
Dinkelman, Dustin Martin, Brandon Roberts or Jeff
Bailey? Those guys are not on the Twins 40 man roster. Joe Benson was one of
four players added to the 40 man roster after last season. Last night for New
Britain, Benson went 2-5 with two home runs and six RBI. So, here are some
things you should know about Joe Benson:
·
Twins 2nd
round pick in 2006 out of Joliet Catholic Academy in Joliet, Illinois.
·
By signing with
the Twins, he gave up a scholarship to play football (RB) at Purdue.
·
Former NFL great
Mike Alstott went to the same high school as Benson.
·
Benson was the
Twins Minor League Hitter of the Year in 2010 when he hit .259/.343/.538 with
31 doubles, eight triples and 27 home runs between AA New Britain and Hi-A Ft.
Myers. (23 of the home runs were in AA)
·
This year with
the Rock Cats, he is hitting .283/.379/.489 with 25 doubles, two triples and 13
home runs.
·
He missed a
little more than a month of the season when he had his knee scoped.
·
At 6-1 and 210
pounds, he is very strong. However, he is probably the second fastest player in
the Twins organization behind only Ben Revere.
·
He is a terrific
outfielder, capable of playing all three positions. He has the speed for
centerfield and the arm for a right fielder.
·
He is a season
ticket holder of the Chicago Bears. “Bear Down!”
·
He has done
Football Picks here at SethSpeaks.net for several years.
·
He is 23 years
old.
·
He is very
intense and competitive. This is primarily a positive thing, but can have its
negative moments.
·
His strikeout
rate was something that he and the Twins needed to watch this year. Last year
in New Britain, he struck out 115 times in 423 plate appearances (1 K every
3.68 PA). This year with the Rock Cats, he has 92 strikeouts in 378 plate
appearances (1 K every 4.11 PA).
I haven’t heard yet if Benson will be
promoted. I’m sure we won’t know more until early this afternoon. But I think
it is exciting when young players, especially those that are such highly regarded
prospects, get an opportunity. Calling him up from AA is not an indication that
he is ready for the big leagues, so fans need to have their expectations
tempered. He will most likely start the 2012 season in
Rochester and that would be the right thing. But for a short-term fix and just to
see where he is at, this would be a good thing.
Any thoughts?? E-mail me, or leave
some Comments.