Should Will Benson get a shot at HITTING LEADOFF for the Cincinnati Reds | Analysis, Breakdown

Craig Sandlin and Greg Kuffner discuss if Will Benson could be an option to hit leadoff for the Cincinnati Reds given his patience at the plate and high on base percentage this year. ------------------------------------ Check out our partners ⤵️ Get 20% off sitewide at Homage with promo code CHATTER at checkout: homage.com/CBOX The Anthony Muñoz 78 Cigar! Get your box today: https://www.anthonymunoz.com/anthony-munoz-78-cigars Apply today at Sharefax Credit Union: Sharefax.org or call 513-753-2440 Learn more about our friends at QC Kinetix! Call (513) 655-3356 or visit qckinetix.com It’s OK not to be OK! Need Help? Call or text 988 DAY OR NIGHT or visit mantherapy.or ----------------------------------- As the Cincinnati Reds look to optimize their lineup for the 2026 season, Will Benson presents a high-risk, high-reward option as the lead-off hitter, blending elite speed with a penchant for high-variance offensive production. His viability stems from a 2023–2024 profile that suggested top-tier talent, tempered by significant 2024 regressions and a 2025 season filled with demotions, high hard-hit rates, and, ultimately, poor luck. Previous Leadoff Experience and Performance Benson has served as a leadoff option in various capacities since joining the Reds, though he has not solidified himself as the exclusive table-setter. In 2024, he hit the first leadoff home run of his Major League career on May 16th against Tyler Glasnow, a 439-foot blast. His 2023 form was particularly promising, where he hit \(.275\) with a \(.365\) on-base percentage (OBP) across 108 games, showing the patience and discipline often required of a leadoff hitter. Reds Metrics and Career Path Benson’s tenure in Cincinnati has been streaky. After a breakout 2023, he fell to a \(.187\) batting average in 343 at-bats in 2024, while his strikeout rate remained high. However, his underlying, or expected, stats often paint a brighter picture. In early 2025, despite a low batting average, he was among the league leaders in barrel rate, average exit velocity, and hard-hit percentage (top 15%), suggesting a significant positive regression was on the horizon. As of May 9, 2026, he has struggled early, with a \(.207\) average in 31 games, but maintaining high power and on-base potential, including 13 walks. Viability for 2026 Benson's main strength as a leadoff hitter is his ability to get on base (.352 OBP in 2026) and his 94th-percentile speed, which provides run-scoring potential. His 2025 season showed a refined approach, reducing his strikeout rate to 26.5% and swinging more in the zone. However, his inconsistency and inability to consistently produce against left-handed pitchers make him a specialized option, often best used when he is in a hot streak. His 2026 outlook under Manager Terry Francona is that of a "streaky" player who can carry the offense when hot, but who must be managed carefully regarding his playing time against tough left-handed matchups. If he can match his 2025 Statcast metrics—where he ranked in the top 15% in expected slugging (\(xSLG\)) and hard-hit rate—with better fortune on balls in play (\(BABIP\)), he could finally provide the consistent speed-and-power lead-off combo the Reds have needed since his breakout 2023.