This Red has been flying under the radar

This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon¡¯s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CINCINNATI -- Talk about coming out of nowhere. On a Reds club loaded with young, exciting players, outfielder Will Benson?hasn't been generating much buzz, but he is now arguably the best ninth-spot hitter in baseball.

Benson, 25, was acquired from the Guardians in a?rather under-the-radar?February trade?for outfielder?Justin Boyd, who was Cincinnati's 2022 second-round pick, and Minor League pitcher?Steve Hajjar.?Benson made the Reds' Opening Day roster but struggled, going 1-for-25 (.040) with 14 strikeouts before being sent to Triple-A Louisville on May 22.

An injury to Wil Myers necessitated Benson's return on May 26. Since then, the lefty hitter is batting .339 with six homers and 17 RBIs in his past 43 games (35 starts). Because of the club's hitting depth, he's been batting at or near the bottom of the lineup.

¡°I¡¯m really happy for him," Reds rookie utility player?Spencer Steer?said. "He works really hard. He¡¯s really dedicated to doing what it takes to be his best. We all see how much work he puts forth behind the scenes. I think what he¡¯s doing isn¡¯t being talked about enough.?

"It¡¯s extremely difficult starting a year like that and going down to Triple-A and then being able to come back and do what he¡¯s doing. It¡¯s incredible. He¡¯s been capable of that the entire time.¡±

Earlier this week, I spoke with Benson about his season and success.

MLB.com: After the slow start and going back to Louisville, what helped you turn things around?
Benson: My biggest thing was focusing on the process. I told myself that the only way to be good at being a big leaguer is to be a big leaguer. Once I got that chance, I didn¡¯t know how long it would last. I knew I had a little chunk of time to be a good big leaguer.

MLB.com: What¡¯s it mean to not only have success in the big leagues but also to be contributing to a team that¡¯s contending with several young players?
Benson: It¡¯s a blessing and an honor. I don¡¯t take it for granted at all. It makes me want to give it my everything every time I come out here. It¡¯s awesome to be an integral part of something that¡¯s been so special. On the team I was on last year, there was something special happening there, but I felt more on the outside. It¡¯s really refreshing to be in the mix contributing.

MLB.com: When you hit a home run, it seems like you go out-of-body with your reaction. What are you thinking about?
Benson: It¡¯s so natural and raw. You¡¯re seeing a really happy baseball player when I hit those home runs. All of that comes in the moment. I don¡¯t plan any of that stuff at all.

MLB.com: Why does your helmet always seem to come off when you¡¯re running the bases?
Benson: I think it¡¯s because of the braids I¡¯ve got. I always wear a durag and a little headband. It makes my helmet a little bit slippery and obviously, I¡¯m moving fast, and it jiggles around.

MLB.com: Is it odd to be hitting .286 overall but batting ninth? It¡¯s not normally a spot for someone who has produced like you.
Benson: It¡¯s not odd at all. I truly don¡¯t mind it. It¡¯s a treat to see my name in the lineup just about every day now. I can only be thankful. If you would tell my 17-year-old self, ¡°You¡¯re going to be hitting ninth in the big leagues.¡± I would just say, ¡°Thank you.¡± I¡¯m fortunate to be here.