Spring Training Ins and Outs
By Fred Owens
Former Twins top 10 prospect Joe Benson joined the Braves spring training camp Saturday. Photo Credit Hemmelgarn- USA TODAY Sports
In with a chance
While the Braves outfield contenders seem to be numerous when Hunter departed today they added Benson. I’ve been a fan of this since they signed the former Twins first round pick. As a prospect Benson was said to have center field range and a right field arm with 4 tools in the 60-80 range. He’s healthy for the first time to start a season since 2012 when he entered the year as BA’s #90 ranked prospect. If he can stay healthy he could be one of the best under the radar signings this year.
Curcio is a 22 year old, 5’10, 180 pound rookie outfielder selected by the Braves in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. A left handed hitter with what BA called good bat-to-ball skills in a pre-draft post was runner up for the Northwoods League batting title in 2013 with a .367/.442/.471/ .913 including 18 doubles, 1 triple and 3 homers striking out 26 times and walking 34 in 296 AB and stealing 30 bases. After being drafted he played eight games in rookie ball before moving up to Rome where he played eight more. He went on the DL in July and finished the season there.
Looking at his numbers it’s easy to see he’s not a power guy and BA’s post called him “a grinder” and said “. . .he has a line-drive swing with a gap-to-gap approach. . . (and) an above-average runner.” His arm limits him to playing center or left but he also played some second in college. Since the Braves have kept him in center so far it appears he’s not a great infielder. My guess is that they Braves want to see more of him to figure out where he starts the season since he lost the last two months of last year.
That’s A Wrap.
After 28 years in the Air Force I know more about temporary duty assignments than I’d like. Usually there was a need for added personnel someplace that was less than a vacation Valhalla but for minor league prospects being TDY to the major league camp is a step towards their dream and a really big deal. For Benson it’s a chance to impress for Curcio just a chance to be seen, Here’s hoping both players do well.