Drafted in the 36th round (1,085th overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2007.
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Beno has been on the prospect landscape since he was Mississippi high schooler and the Royals drafted him in the 28th round in 2004. After his freshman year at Bossier Parish (La.) CC, Beno opened eyes in the Cape Cod League but turned down $100,000 as a free agent and transferred to Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, where the Dodgers drafted him in the seventh round in 2006. He delayed pro ball again, moving on to Oklahoma State and having a disappointing junior year. Beno worked mostly in relief for the Cowboys and dropped to the 36th round, where he finally signed for $10,000. He made a strong first impression by striking out 38 in 22 innings at Vermont and impressed the Nationals further in instructional league by effortlessly running his fastball up to 96 mph and sitting at 90-94 with late life. He also showed an average-plus changeup and flashed a promising but inconsistent curveball. Beno has a short, smooth arm action, though his mechanics aren't textbook. He has a tendency to leave his fastball up in the zone at times and needs to improve his all-around command. Maturity has been an issue for Beno at times in the past, but the Nationals haven't reported any issues with him so far. His lack of size and a reliable breaking ball likely will keep him in the bullpen, but he has a high ceiling if he can put it all together. He'll open his first full season in low Class A.
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