Neal: Benson regains the pep in his step

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Originally Posted by Kwak

Back to Benson! Strikeouts? If he bats .300 most all of you will be overflowing with glee--it does mean he made an out the other 70% of his ABs. Even if half of those are strikeouts, he's still batting .300. I'm not very familar with Benson, but from reading posts, Benson apparently has good power and speed on the bases (limiting discussion to offense only). Thus it sounds as if a realistic potential is 20 HR and 40 more extra base hits, many of which are a result of his speed and aggressively running the bases. That would result in a solid SLG. It wouldn't take very many walks for a .300 BAVG and the SLG referenced above to yield a more than acceptable OPS--and that with a very high strikeout rate. There have been some very accomplished (and acclaimed) hitters that struck-out often. I caution against getting hung-up on strikeouts. Take a step back and evaluate him holistically, not just on one statistic.

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The problem isn't just strike-outs, he has a contact and plate discipline issue. You also have to take BABIP into account. The higher the strike-outs the lower his average is going to go. He isn't really a ground ball hitter so whenever you elevate the ball your BABIP is going to be lower. He has to strike-out less and take better AB's to make it, there is no way around it. His floor is going to be a 4th OF since his defense is excellent, but we're all hoping he is more. I would take a .270 AVG from him with 20+ HR's at LF or RF any day.

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Originally Posted by FrodaddyG

Parmelee is by all accounts an excellent defensive first baseman.

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Ok, sorry to get this off-topic again, but what the Hell? Where did you hear this?

Of course, I don't know what I'm talking about, but something makes me think that Benson is a bit of a late bloomer in terms of the kind of maturity required to be mentally disciplined, to have a plan when you step to the plate. So, because optimism fun,I predict he comes of age, dramatically improves his contact rate, walks more and strikes out less. I predict he is a better offensive performer for the Twins in 2014 than Morneau is with, say Texas, and that Willingham is with, say, Atlanta.

I don't want to see Morneau traded, or Willingham traded. UNLESS we get stud prospects in return.

The chances of Morneau or Willingham being free from injury in the future aren't any better than the chances that elite prospects will bust. So let's hope for banner years from both, whether we trade them or not.

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Originally Posted by raindog

Ok, sorry to get this off-topic again, but what the Hell? Where did you hear this?

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From when he was named the top defensive 1B in the Eastern League waaaay back in 2011.

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Originally Posted by birdwatcher

I predict he comes of age, dramatically improves his contact rate, walks more and strikes out less.

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Starting tomorrow. First thing tomorrow, that's the ticket.

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Originally Posted by ashburyjohn

Starting tomorrow. First thing tomorrow, that's the ticket.

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1+, ABJ

Great for the homerun today (no so much the swings and misses). From when I've seen him play (about three or four game), he seems like he has all the talent and athletic ability, but he's hacking (kind of reminds me of Luke Hughes' plate approach, which is why a few spring training home runs wouldn't surprise me). The defense is ready, if he can just control the strike zone, he'll be ready. I guess we'll see.

In 2011 John Sickels said (Minnesota Twins Top 20 Prospects for 2012 - Minor League Ball):

"5) Joe Benson, OF, Grade B-: Impressive power/speed tools and should get a shot at a major league job in 2012. Still fights the strike zone, could be a 20-15 player but could also struggle in batting average and OBP departments."

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Originally Posted by ashburyjohn

Starting tomorrow. First thing tomorrow, that's the ticket.

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Might be Thursday. Or Sunday.

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Originally Posted by Kwak

Back to Benson! Strikeouts? If he bats .300 most all of you will be overflowing with glee--it does mean he made an out the other 70% of his ABs. Even if half of those are strikeouts, he's still batting .300. I'm not very familar with Benson, but from reading posts, Benson apparently has good power and speed on the bases (limiting discussion to offense only). Thus it sounds as if a realistic potential is 20 HR and 40 more extra base hits, many of which are a result of his speed and aggressively running the bases. That would result in a solid SLG. It wouldn't take very many walks for a .300 BAVG and the SLG referenced above to yield a more than acceptable OPS--and that with a very high strikeout rate. There have been some very accomplished (and acclaimed) hitters that struck-out often. I caution against getting hung-up on strikeouts. Take a step back and evaluate him holistically, not just on one statistic.

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I really like Benson, and I desparately hope last season was a fluke, but I think those projections (especially right away) are a bit over the top. He owns a career minor league BA of .258 and his break out seasons saw averages of .285 and .294. I do think he can hit like Cuddy as a ceiling (with obviously better defense), but he's also one of those players who Ks a bit too much and seems to have issues with the tool between his ears. I hope I'm wrong there, but I get the impression that he has trouble letting go of bad performances and that can cause for some nasty cycles.


I could see him winning the job and never looking back, and I could see him struggling in Rochester all season too... Just too volatile.