| Joe Benson | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Benson in 2011 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (1988-03-05)March 5, 1988 (age 37) Hinsdale, Illinois, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 4, 2011, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 28, 2011, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .239 |
| Home runs | 0 |
| Runs batted in | 2 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
William Joseph Benson (born March 5, 1988) is an American former professionalbaseballoutfielder. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theMinnesota Twins during the 2011 season.
Benson attendedJoliet Catholic Academy inJoliet, Illinois. Benson playedbaseball andAmerican football at Joliet, and was recruited to playcollege football for thePurdue Boilermakers football team as arunning back.
TheMinnesota Twins selected Benson in the second round of the2006 Major League Baseball Draft. Benson signed with the Twins rather than attend Purdue.[1]
Benson participated inspring training for the Twins in 2011, but did not make the opening day roster and was subsequently assigned to the Double-A affiliate of the Twins, theNew Britain Rock Cats, where he was given the starting job incenter field. On September 6, 2011, Benson made his major league debut for the Minnesota Twins. He went without ahit a threeat-bats, drawing awalk andstriking out once.[2] Benson's first major league hit was asingle off ofDetroit TigerspitcherMax Scherzer on September 10, 2011.[3][4]
In 2013, Benson competed withAaron Hicks for the starting centerfield position with the Twins. Hicks won the job, and Benson went to theRochester Red Wings of theTriple-AInternational League. In May 2013, the Twins put Benson onoutright waivers to clear a roster spot forP. J. Walters.
On May 25, 2013, Benson was claimed off waivers by theTexas Rangers.[1] On September 1, Benson wasdesignated for assignment by Texas.[5] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-ARound Rock Express on September 3.[6] Benson never appeared for Texas, playing in 44 games for the rookie-levelArizona League Rangers and Double-AFrisco RoughRiders. On November 4, Benson elected free agency.[7]
On December 20, 2013, Benson signed a minor league contract with theMiami Marlins.[8][9] He spent most of the season with Double–AJacksonville Suns, also playing in three games for the Triple-ANew Orleans Zephyrs.[10] In 124 games for Jacksonville, Benson slashed .250/.355/.380 with four home runs, 24 RBI, and seven stolen bases.[11]
On January 7, 2015, Benson signed a minor league contract with theAtlanta Braves.[12] In 41 games for the Triple-AGwinnett Braves, he batted .246/.346/.331 with no home runs, nine RBI, and four stolen bases. Benson was released by the Braves organization on June 19.
On June 22, 2015, Benson signed with theSugar Land Skeeters of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 5 games for Sugar Land, Benson went 4-for-20 (.200) with one RBI and one stolen base.
On July 11, 2015, Benson signed a minor league contract with theNew York Mets organization.[13] In 54 games for the Double-ABinghamton Mets, he batted .250/.355/.380 with four home runs, 24 RBI, and seven stolen bases. Benson elected free agency following the season on November 6.[14]
On November 30, 2015, Benson signed a minor league contract with theMinnesota Twins organization. He was released prior to the start of the season on March 30, 2016.[15]
On April 17, 2017, Benson signed with theSugar Land Skeeters of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 117 appearances for the Skeeters, he hit .254/.308/.371 with eight home runs, 40 RBI, and 17 stolen bases. Benson became a free agent following the season.
On May 8, 2018, Benson signed with theChicago Dogs of theAmerican Association of Independent Professional Baseball. In 73 appearances for the Dogs, he batted .300/.375/.498 with nine home runs, 38 RBI, and nine stolen bases. Benson was released by Chicago on April 30, 2019.
On June 4, 2019, Benson signed with theSouthern Maryland Blue Crabs of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 96 games for the Blue Crabs, he slashed .219/.283/.316 with four home runs, 28 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. Benson became a free agent following the season.
