Cincinnati Reds outfielder Will Benson opted to become a free agent on Oct. 1 according to the team's transactions log.
Benson was optioned to the Louisville Bats in June and was then designated for assignment on July 4 after the Reds activated Hunter Greene from the 60-day injured list.
Benson played in just 51 games in his fourth season in Cincinnati, hitting .188 with three home runs and six RBIs.
Benson also struggled while at Louisville, batting .205 in 66 games with four home runs and 17 RBIs.
Benson was a first round pick out of high school by Cleveland in 2016. He played in 28 games for Cleveland in 2022 and was traded to the Reds in February 2023 in exchange for Justin Boyd and cash. Cincinnati also sent Steve Hajjar as a player to be named
later.
Benson played in 377 games in four years in Cincinnati, hitting .223 with a .305 on-base percentage, 40 home runs, 45 doubles, 121 RBIs and 38 stolen bases.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Will Benson elects free agency from Cincinnati Reds
