Reds fans instantly regret their request following outfielder's disastrous 2025 debut

For the past week, Cincinnati Reds fans have been begging president of baseball operations Nick Krall to recall Will Benson and add him to the team's active roster. But after seeing how poorly the Reds outfielder performed during his 2025 debut on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants, the fanbase may want a do-over.

Benson, who'd been having plenty of success at Triple-A Louisville before joining the big-league club on Tuesday, was 0-for-4 during Wednesday's game with four strikeouts. He saw 18 total pitches and swung and missed 10 times. It was a brutal showing from a player who so many Reds fans were hoping had actually turned a corner.

Benson did make a key diving grab late in the game to save face, but that's not going to erase the golden sombrero from the scorecard. Benson struggled with strikeouts in 2024, and despite a change in his batting stance, the results appear to be the same.

Reds fans instantly regret their request following Will Benson's disastrous 2025 debut

Benson set up shop in left field and was hitting sixth in the Reds batting order during Wednesday's series finale. The first time through, Benson — like nearly everyone else in the Reds lineup — fell victim to future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander. The Giants' right-hander was dealing early on, and struck out four of the first six batters he faced.

Benson's second bite at the apple ended Cincinnati's rally in the top of the third inning. With second baseman Gavin Lux on first base and the Reds leading 5-0, Benson struck out swinging to end the inning. With Lux aboard once again, it was more of the same in the sixth inning. Benson swung and missed on three consecutive sliders down and in for his third strikeout of the afternoon.

Benson's final at-bat of the game came in the eighth inning against San Fran's submarine pitcher Tyler Rogers. Benson looked lost at the dish once again and went down swinging on just five pitches. It was an absolutely disastrous debut for the 26-year-old, and it had many Reds fans wanting to see Benson immediately sent back to Triple-A.

That's unlikely to happen, but with left-hander Bailey Falter on the hill for the Reds' upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, it's a virtual lock that Benson will not be in the starting lineup.

Benson's expected batting average (.180), strikeout rate (39.7%), and whiff rate (39%) were all among the worst in Major League Baseball last season. It was just one game, but the Cincinnati faithful will have little patience for Benson if his plate appearances in 2025 mimic those from 2024.

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