IP 90
ERA 9.2
WHIP 2.144
BB/9 6.8
SO/9 6.5
  • Full name John Wesley Van Benschoten
  • Born 04/14/1980 in San Diego, CA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Kent State
  • Debut 08/18/2004
  • Drafted in the 1st round (8th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2001 (signed for $2,400,000).
    View Draft Report
    VanBenschoten was undrafted as a righthander out of high school, and area scouts never paid more than passing interest until this spring when he blossomed into a sensation as a five-tool position player. By adding 20-25 pounds onto a 6-foot-5 frame in a rigorous offseason weight-training program, his strength caught up with his body. With better bat speed to go with a loft swing, he hit long home runs with regularity and led the nation with 30 homers heading into NCAA regional play. He was the Mid-American Conference player of the year and led Kent State to the conference title by winning MVP honors in the MAC tournament. Each of his tools is average or better, including speed (6.6 in the 60, rare for a player his size), arm strength (93 off the mound) and power. Scouts grade his power at 75 on the standard 20-to-80 scouting scale. He was used at first base and in the back end of the bullpen this spring at Kent State, but his destination in pro ball will be right field, where he can take advantage of his speed and arm strength. He has as much raw ability as any player in the draft.

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  • Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the South Atlantic League in 2002

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