Will Benson just wrecked the Reds’ 2025 plans and fans can’t get enough

If anyone thought Will Benson was simply an injury replacement until Noelvi Marte and Christian Encarnacion-Strand returned from the IL, the Cincinnati Reds outfielder would like a word.

On Sunday, Benson hit a home run in his fourth straight game to put the Reds on top of the Cleveland Guardians 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning. The left-handed slugger then hit a second home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the Reds up 3-0.

Benson, who was left off the Reds Opening Day roster and later received a one-day tryout in the bigs before being sent back to the minors, is proving all his critics wrong. At this time, there's no way Cincinnati can send him back down to Triple-A.

Will Benson just wrecked the Reds’ 2025 plans and fans can’t get enough

Benson didn't make the team out of spring training and was optioned to Triple-A Louisville to begin the season. Instead, the Reds chose the light-hitting outfield combination of Blake Dunn and Jacob Hurtubise.

While those two floundered in the big leagues, Benson was crushing baseballs with regularity in the Derby City. Before being called up earlier this month, Benson was hitting .289/.377/.521 in 31 minor league games.

A rash of injuries to Marte, Encarnacion-Strand, Jeimer Candelario, Jake Fraley, and (at the time) Austin Hays, forced the Reds to give Benson another shot — he was called up earlier in the season, but after going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts was immedaitely sent back to Triple-A.

But after two massive homers on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park, there's no way Cincinnati is sending him back down at this point — it doesn't matter who's ready to return from the IL.

Will Benson has solidified his spot on the Reds roster

Reds fans all across social media can't enough of Benson. One Reds fan even went as far as to suggest that Benson should be the National League Player of the Week. You know what? He may have a point. This week alone has seen Benson crack nine hits with six of them going for extra bases, including five round-trippers.

After crushing his fourth home run in as many games, Benson turned toward the Reds dugout and was yelling something to his teammates. While what he said was inaudible, there's no doubt that his emphatic blast rejuvenated this Reds ball club. Cincy is trying to sweep their in-state rival and rack up their fourth straight win.

The Reds' brass may have ticketed Benson for a return to Louisville once the roster was fully healthy, but that's hardly even under consideration anymore. The Reds needed some extra pop in the lineup, and Benson has given them just that. If his recent hot-streak continues, Reds fans might be calling for more than just Player of the Week honors.

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