Joe Benson
| Joe Benson | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Free agent | |||
| Outfielder | |||
|
Born: March 5, 1988 Hinsdale, Illinois | |||
| |||
| MLB debut | |||
| September 4, 2011, for the Minnesota Twins | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2011 season) | |||
| Batting average | .239 | ||
| Home runs | 0 | ||
| Runs batted in | 2 | ||
| Teams | |||
William Joseph Benson (born March 5, 1988) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins during the 2011 season
College career
Benson attended Joliet Catholic Academy in Joliet, Illinois. Benson played baseball and American football at Joliet, and was recruited to play college football for the Purdue Boilermakers football team as a running back.
Professional career
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins selected Benson in the second round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. Benson signed with the Twins rather than attend Purdue.[1]
Benson participated in spring training for the Twins in 2011, but did not make the opening day roster and was subsequently assigned to the AA affiliate of the Twins, the New Britain Rock Cats, where he was given the starting job in center field. On September 6, 2011, Benson made his major league debut for the Minnesota Twins. He went without a hit a three at-bats, drawing a walk and striking out once.[2] Benson's first major league hit was a single off of Detroit Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer on September 10, 2011.[3][4]
In 2013, Benson competed with Aaron Hicks for the starting centerfield position with the Twins. Hicks won the job, and Benson went to the Rochester Red Wings of the Class AAA International League. In May 2013, the Twins put Benson on outright waivers to clear a roster spot for P. J. Walters.
Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers claimed Benson.[1]
Miami Marlins
Benson signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins on January 9, 2014,[5][6] and spent most of the season with Double–A Jacksonville Suns.[7]
Atlanta Braves
In January 2015, Benson signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves.[8] He was released by the Braves in mid June.
New York Mets
Benson signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets on July 11, 2015.[9] He elected free agency on November 6, 2015.[10]
Return to Minnesota
On November 30, 2015 Benson signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins. He was released in March 2016.
References
- 1 2 "New Rangers OF Joe Benson a former football star with impressive tools | Texas Rangers Blog". Rangersblog.dallasnews.com. 2013-05-28. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
- ↑ "MLB.com Gameday | twinsbaseball.com: Gameday". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
- ↑ "MLB.com Gameday | twinsbaseball.com: Gameday". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
- ↑ "Chris Parmelee, Joe Benson showcasing their skills with Twins | twinsbaseball.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. 2013-05-24. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
- ↑ "Marlins sign Slowey to minor league deal". Fox News. January 9, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
- ↑ "Marlins announce 2014 Spring Training invitees". MLB.com. January 9, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
- ↑ Bowman, Mark (April 1, 2015). "Benson seizing opportunity to claim Braves bench spot". MLB.com. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
- ↑ Eddy, Matt (January 11, 2015). "Minor League Transactions: Dec. 24-Jan. 8". Baseball America. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
- ↑ http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/07/minor-mlb-transactions-71115.html
- ↑ "Eastern League Transactions". milb.com. p. November 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball-Reference, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)