Reds power rankings: Who is the best outfielder heading into the offseason?

2. Will Benson, Reds outfielder

Will Benson's 2023 campaign could not have started much worse. But Benson showed everyone throughout Reds Country - it's not how you start, it's how you finish. After being sent down to Triple-A Louisville after a horrific start, Benson was one of the best players in the Reds clubhouse down the stretch.

Benson was acquired during the offseason in exchange for minor league outfielder Justin Boyd and right-handed pitching prospect Steve Hajjar. That's a trade that Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall would make again in a heartbeat.

Benson's strikeout-rate (31.3-percent) wasn't great, but his walk-rate (12.2-percent) was very good. Benson's 10.3-percent barrel-rate, according to Baseball Savant, was above the MLB average.

In terms of defense, Benson looked better than his numbers might indicate. With -2 outs above average (OAA) and -3 defensive runs saved (DRS) don't paint the best picture. However, Benson has plenty of speed and arm strength to play above-average defense on the outfield grass.

Many Reds fans were advocating all season for Will Benson to be moved up in David Bell's lineup. While that's somewhat understandable, the 25-year-old added an impact bat to the bottom of the Cincinnati Reds batting order.