The Cleveland Indians went with youth Thursday, taking 17-year-old Atlanta native Will Benson with the 14th overall pick in the 2016 MLB draft.
Benson is a left-handed first baseman and outfielder. The 6-foot-6, 220-pounder wreaked havoc on competition in 2016, hitting .454 with eight home runs, 41 RBIs and a .814 slugging percentage.
Benson played a pivotal role for the Westminster Wildcats and was the only player to appear in all 36 of the team’s games. Westminster won 30 games and captured its first state title since 1975.
Benson’s athleticism wasn’t limited to the diamond in high school. He also excelled on the basketball court and was tabbed the Region 6-AAA Player of the Year.
Benson had previously signed to play collegiately at Duke.
