Joe Benson looking for a strong season – MLB News
William Joseph Benson is one of the most promising youngsters in Minnesota Twins’ Major League Baseball squad right now. According to a leading sports website, Baseball America has ranked him as the second best prospect for the Twins. Not only is he a reliable striker, he also has the ability to defend well, which makes him an important player to have in the team.
However, Benson hasn’t made a very bright start to his 2012 Spring Training campaign as he managed only one hit and seven strikeouts in his first 12 at bats. The 24 year old turned things around on Sunday with a towering home run off Yankees’ pitcher Adam Warren to help the Twins secure a comfortable 5-1 win over New York Yankees. His 16 home runs last year for Class AA New Britain suggest that he has the ability to hit the ball a long way.
"You know who knew that more than you? He did," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He's got to quit worrying about that stuff and quit thinking about it. That was unbelievable. He outran the ball. They say you can't, but he did."
"It felt good," said Benson, who hit 16 home runs last year for Class AA New Britain. "I didn't have any home runs in September [in 71 at-bats for the Twins] and didn't have any in Venezuela [during winter ball]. I kind of hit a dry patch."
Benson displayed great hitting skills in a Spring Training game against Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday to raise his batting average to .214. He also took a terrific catch running in the centre field. Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire is very pleased with what he has seen so far from the striker.
After being drafted by the Twins for the second round in 2006, Benson has given considerable results. He will be hoping to score runs consistently during the spring training to impress his managers and coaches. The Twins, on the other hand, will be looking to help Benson out in every possible way to build his confidence. It will be interesting to see if he can live up to his fans’ expectations.
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