It is impossible to give any real grade to Will Benson’s debut season in Cleveland.
In 61 plate appearances over 28 games after he was called up on Aug. 1, Benson hit .182/.250/.200 with one extra-base hit, 19 strikeouts, and just three walks. He had more than one plate appearance in 16 of those games, started 15 of them, and got a full slate of at-bats in just 10.
Yes, the Guardians were churning through rookies and just working to stay afloat half the time, and yes, finding space for yet another athletic outfielder was tough with Steven Kwan sealing up left, Myles Straw earning a Gold Glove in center and Oscar Gonzalez looking pretty solid in right, but it still stinks they couldn’t find space for Benson.