Benson Is ‘Whole Package’ For Indians

CLEVELAND—For the second time in four years, the Indians used their first round pick in the draft on a power-hitting high school outfielder from Georgia. In 2013 it was Clint Frazier. In 2016 it was Will Benson.

The Indians selected the 17-year-old Benson with the No. 14 overall pick Thursday. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound lefthanded hitter immediately drew comparisons to Jason Heyward, which Benson eagerly embraced.

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“It’s an honor to have that comparison,” Benson said. “Defensively it’s a true comparison. We both have a lot of range and throw well. Offensively, I think I can possibly do better. He’s more of an on-base and average guy, I think I’ll hit for more power, and still hit for average.”

In his senior season for The Westminster School, Benson, a Duke commit, hit .454 with 8 home runs, 41 RBI, a .566 on-base percentage and .814 slugging percentage.

“He’s a big, physical, potential five-tool right fielder. The whole package is there,” scouting director Brad Grant said. “He’s an unbelievable athlete. We feel he’ll hit for average and power. He’s a solid runner with a solid-average arm.”

Benson joins Frazier and Bradley Zimmer (2014), two other top Indians draft picks currently playing at Double-A Akron, who in the future could conceivably give the Indians an all-first-round outfield.

“That’s the goal. It would be exciting,” Grant said.

“I think I’ll fit in quite well with them,” Benson said. “I’m excited to meet Clint. I’ve seen him a lot in travel ball. Hopefully we can be a ‘no-fly zone’ outfield.”

In the second round the Indians selected another left-handed hitting high school position player, shortstop Nolan Jones, out of Holy Ghost Prep in Bensalem, Pa. The 6-4, 217-pound Jones was a shortstop in high school, but Grant said the Indians will move him to third base.

“He’s going to continue to grow,” Grant said. “But he’s a very good hitter who we think will hit for power in the future.”

In 19 games in his senior season at Holy Ghost Prep, Jones, a Virginia commit, hit .636 with 5 home runs, 24 RBI, 24 walks and three strikeouts in 72 plate appearances.

SMOKE SIGNALS

• With their supplemental second-round pick, No. 72 overall, the Indians selected switch-hitting Oregon State catcher Logan Ice, the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Ice also had a strong season with the bat, hitting .310 with seven home runs and leading the Beavers in slugging percentage and on-base percentage.

• Six members of high Class A Lynchburg, including first baseman Bobby Bradley, were named to the Carolina League all-star team. Bradley, who led the Arizona League in home runs and RBI in 2014 and led the Midwest League in homers and RBI in 2015, is leading the Carolina League in homers and RBI this year.