Outfielder Will Benson confirms he made the Reds Opening Day roster

If there were any doubts about whether or not Will Benson was going to make the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster, the former Cleveland Guardians outfielder dismissed those on Saturday during his conversation with the media.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith, Benson confirmed that he will be heading north with the big league club next week. This will be the first time that Benson has ever been part of an Opening Day roster.

It's probably incorrect to say that Benson was on the roster bubble, but there were certainly questions about whether or not he'd break camp with the Reds after seeing Chad Pinder released on Friday.

Will Benson confirms he made the Reds Opening Day roster.

The Cincinnati Reds traded for Will Benson during the offseason, securing his services in exchange for 2022 draft pick Justin Boyd. The outfielder was the 73rd selection in last year's draft, but Cincinnati saw the upside with Benson after he had spent most of last season in Cleveland's minor leagues.

Benson is 6-foot-5 and has huge raw power. The 24-year-old has speed to boot, and it's assumed that Benson will see a lot of time in center field for the Reds in 2023. With Nick Senzel taking on more of a utility role with the club, it's likely that Benson will be in the everyday lineup so long as a southpaw isn't on the mound.

Benson's inclusion on the roster does a bring a question to light, and that's the status of TJ Friedl. While Friedl has done more than enough to earn a spot on the roster with his top-notch play this spring, the plethora of outfielders and lack of depth on the infield might see the team choose non-roster invitee Jason Vosler over the Pennsylvania native. Henry Ramos is another name to watch.

Congratulations are in order for Will Benson. Will he be one the field for David Bell when the Pittsburgh Pirates come to town. With Mitch Keller, a right-hander, on the bump for the Buccos, it's a good bet that the answer is yes.