Cole
Bensen

Wisconsin-River Falls football commit. Was a two-way contributor for Bay Port during their 3-0 week. At the plate Benson went 4-for-8 with a home run and four RBI’s three runs and two walks for the week. Benson was a big part in Bay Port’s win over Kewaunee going 3-for-4 with a 3-run inside-the-park homerun. On the mound against Sheboygan North Benson tossed a complete game shutout allowing four hits and walking one while striking out six batters.

Athletic, well-proportioned 6-foot, 195-pound frame with room to add strength. Turned in a quality performance on the mound for ISA Royal in a playoff victory: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R. Threw his fastball for strikes and generated weak contact, topping at 86 mph while pitching in the mid-80s. Continued to show advanced feel to spin a breaking ball around the zone and out of it, something we’ve seen from him in the past. Consistent performer that seemingly always finds ways to win; was a top arm on a Bay Port Pirates team that made it to the Wisconsin state playoffs.

We last saw Bensen in July at the Badger State Battle, where his fastball played at 82-84 mph and his secondaries were still fully developing. Now, it’s clear that the more physical 6-foot, 195-pound junior has added strength to all areas of his frame. Bensen’s day started when he ran a 6.86 in the 60-yard dash and followed it up by barreling his hardest-hit ball up at 96-plus mph in BP. He jumped on the mound later in his workout and pumped a lively fastball in at 85-87 mph with above-average spin rates (2,200-plus rpm average) and occasional arm-side life. The separator in this look for Bensen was the improvement of his breaking ball; thrown with more intent that resulted in tighter spin and later break off an 11/5 plane, creating a swing-and-miss profile recorded at 2,200-plus rpm with over 14 inches of horizontal movement on average. We’ve witnessed Bensen’s hyper competitiveness on the mound ourselves, and that mentality, coupled with his enhanced arsenal, clearly elevates the uncommitted right-hander’s ceiling.

Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Athletic proportions. Well developed frame. Strong throughout.
Delivery: Athletic drop/drive delivery, stacks onto the backside, rotates well to front foot strike and stays athletic throughout. Clear tempo, repeats.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm draw, stacks into scrap retraction and works from slightly elevated 3/4 slot.
FB: T87, 85.0-86.7 mph. Flashed arm-side action at times with occasional carry as it entered the upper quadrant.  T2133, 2027 average rpm.
CB: 68.3-71.1 mph. Hard, tight shape off an 11/5 plane with late break at times. Potential swing-and-miss pitch.  T2380, 2223 average rpm.
CH: 75.1-76.6 mph. Works from a lower arm angle than fastball, plays with arm-side run.  T1820, 1719 average rpm.

Bensen took the mound during the second day of our PBR Badger State Battle.  He attacked hitters and pounded the zone, landing roughly 65% over his pitches for strikes. Loose and quick arm, fastball sat 82-84 mph and mixed in a curveball at 71-74 mph with 11/5 shape to help induce weak contact. Also added a hit and a run scored. Final line: CG, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 H, 8 K.

Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, slightly open stance, smooth hand load, leg kick timing trigger.  Quick hands that stay short to the baseball, uphill bat path, flashed some juice off the barrel.
Power: 91.66 max exit velocity, averaged 85.15 mph. 302’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 87 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot. Above-average arm strength for age, throws flashed carry to target.
Defense: Athletic feet, long windup to release, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame that projects.
Delivery: Tall/fall type pitcher. Average balance point. Gliding leg front leg drive. Uses uphill tilting shoulders. Stays in line lands square and finishes upright.
Arm Action: R/R. Over the top angle with quick arm speed. Short arm action.
FB: T84, 80-83 mph. Straight action. Steep downward angle.  T2131, 2103 average rpm.
CB: 68-71 mph. 10/4 shape. Flashed tight sharp spin. Thrown at FB arm speed.  T2434, 2255 average rpm.
CH: 74-75 mph. Straight CH. Strikes down in the zone. Thrown at FB arm speed.  T1750, 1615 average rpm. 

Positional Profile: RHP/SS Competitive strike-thrower who showed well this summer.
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Lean athlete; long levers.
Delivery: Upright start from the left of the rubber; simple side step to high knee and toe lift at balance point, leg tucks creating hip turn and closed shoulders. Tall/fall type, leg swings out, shoulders stay closed, athletic landing with momentum carrying him to home.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm circle, loose, quick out front; over-the-top slot.
FB: T82, 78-80 mph. A true four-seam with noteworthy spin for his velocity (2,157 rpm on average).
CB: 68-68 mph. Tight, short action with high spin; projects best as a slider.
CH: 68-70 mph. Aggressive, at arm speed; feel to locate at the bottom of the zone. Straight change, tunnels well.

5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed pitcher. Lean frame with proportional strength. Was ISA Stars Royal’s starter Friday night against GRB Rays Green. Compact arm action that works from an over-the-top slot, above-average arm speed for age. Steady tall/fall type delivery that he repeats well, quick to home out of the stretch. Lands closed off from target, works directly in line with an athletic finish. Fastball sat 81-84 mph early, more in the 80-82 mph range later into his outing. Slider impressed tremendously, low-70s with feel to locate and with bite. Tossed six innings of two-run ball, striking out seven and allowing five hits. His performance on the mound over the last few weeks has him trending up on our prospect radar. 

5-foot-11, 160 pounds; athletic build with some proportional strength. He was greatly effective in his outing Friday, and came out sitting in the 80-82 mph range early in the start while spinning a sweeping breaking ball that earned some chases; 10/4 shape with above-average feel to spin, 65-66 mph. Repeats a loose, quick arm that produced a fastball that carried through the zone. A follow in the state’s ‘23 class.

Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pounds.
Delivery: Flashed some pace and rhythm. Good athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Quick over the top action.
FB: T82, 77-79 mph. Flashed slight late cut. Showed consistent control.
CB: 66-67 mph. Good power CB. Showed 2/8 action down in the zone. Good control for his age.
CH: 67-69 mph. Straight change at near FB arm action. Showed ability to control the pitch.

Hit: RHH. Balanced stance,drives hands back into load, leg kick trigger. Swing works long and uphill through contact.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Arm works from a high 3/4 slot with long action.
Defense: Fluid footwork. Glove plays slightly deep under middle of his body. Pack exchange.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60.