Fansided

Let’s take a look at where the MLB Draft Class of 2016 is now

By Joshua Sadlock

TAMPA, FL - JUNE 03: Mickey Moniak (2) of the Threshers hits his first home run of the season during the Florida State League game between the Florida Fire Frogs and the Clearwater Threshers on June 03, 2018, at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JUNE 03: Mickey Moniak (2) of the Threshers hits his first home run of the season during the Florida State League game between the Florida Fire Frogs and the Clearwater Threshers on June 03, 2018, at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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09 JUN 2016: Will Benson a high school outfielder from Atlanta Georgia picked 14th overall by the Cleveland Indians talks on the phone during Round 1 of the 2016 MLB First Year Player Draft. The draft is held at Studio 42 of MLB Network in Secaucus NJ.(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
09 JUN 2016: Will Benson a high school outfielder from Atlanta Georgia picked 14th overall by the Cleveland Indians talks on the phone during Round 1 of the 2016 MLB First Year Player Draft. The draft is held at Studio 42 of MLB Network in Secaucus NJ.(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

14. Cleveland Indians: Will Benson, OF, The Westminster Schools (GA)

The lazy comparison for Indians pick Will Benson, an Atlanta area product, at the time of the draft was Jason Heyward. It seemed to fit at the time. Benson was very athletic, hit left-handed and was built similar to Heyward. He was projected to hit for power, run well and showcase an outstanding arm in right field. At the time, the Indians were dreaming of running out a star-studded outfield one day made up of Benson and fellow top picks Clint Frazier and Bradley Zimmer.

Three years removed, and the Indians future outfield hopes appear entirely busted. Frazier was traded for star reliever Andrew Miller, Zimmer has hit just .237/.300/.370 in 135 MLB games and is recovering from labrum surgery and Benson is still playing in Single-A at the age of 21. His professional career has been a disaster to date.

Benson has hit just .216/.338/.450 in the minors with 57 home runs and 179 RBI in 289 games. He has also drawn 175 walks, which is a plus. On the flip side, he has also struck out 375 times and hit .180 last season at the Single-A level. The Indians started him over at Low-A this year, but he is hitting below .200 since being bumped up to High-A.

For all the strikeouts, Benson actually has a solid approach at the plate. He recognizes strikes well and draws walks at a high rate for a prospect. Benson does pack obvious power, but his swing has holes that are easy to exploit, even for Single-A pitchers. There are still plenty of raw tools to like, but Benson is barely a top-30 prospect in a fairly weak Cleveland system.

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