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TopProspectAlert.com Minor League News & Autograph Blog HomeTop Prospect Alert - John Van Benschoten By Schuyler DombroskeDOB: 4/14/80, Age: 22, Height: 6’4’’, Weight:
215, Bats: R, Throws: R. Acquired: Pirates - Drafted in the 1st Round of
the 2001 Draft (Kent State U.). 2001 Stats: (Sseason-A - Williamsport)
0-2, 3.80 ERA, 26 IP, 23 H, 10 BB, 19 K. 2002 Stats: (Low-A - Hickory)
11-4, 2.80 ERA, 148 IP, 119 H, 6 HR, 62 BB, 145 K.
John Van Benschoten was the
NCAA’s leading home run hitter in 2001 while playing for Kent State, and
the Pirates selected him with the eighth pick in that June’s amateur
draft. That was viewed by many analysts as a solid pick for all of about
fifteen seconds, until the Pirates announced that Van Benschoten would be
sent to short-season ball to pitch. He had closed for Kent State, but no
other team, to my knowledge, preferred his pitching ability to his
hitting. He was only moderately successful in his mound debut for
Williamsport, but was quite poor in some DH duty in between starts, so
some credence for the Pirates’ opinion was developing. This season, the
Pirates did not let him hit at all, and he really pitched rather well for
Hickory. Van Benschoten has a live arm, working off a fastball that
reached 95 mph. He also has an above average curve that is steadily
getting better. For now, he is still a two-pitch pitcher, which is
primarily why the Pirates have not moved him up the ladder more quickly. A
changeup is of the utmost importance if he is to be successful at AA and
above, and he has been working on one all year. It would still best be
described as developing, which is a big reason why he remained at Hickory
all year. At about 3.8 BB/9, his control is still a bit shaky as well,
although he did strike out nearly a batter an inning. My main problem with
Van Benschoten is that he still has these major issues that need to be
resolved, and he is 22 years old pitching in low-A ball against lineups
one to three years his junior. I’m willing to be open-minded on his
situation to a point, but time is most definitely not on his side.
The Pirates took a big
gamble with a high draft pick conversion this extreme, and to this point,
I am still a bit skeptical that it will play out in their favor. Prospect
age relative to league average is a major factor in projecting future
success, and Van Benschoten is still in the developing stages as an “old
man” in relative terms, so he is not a likely candidate to be pushed much
faster. I think we will see him at Lynchburg and Altoona (if the Pirates
keep those affiliates) next year, with a Pittsburgh arrival still nearly
two full years away if he progresses like they hope. Right now, he reminds
me of a guy that I liked a long time ago that has recently rejuvenated his
career: LaTroy Hawkins. If Van Benschoten develops a changeup, he could
become a #2 or #3 starter in time. Without it, he may be a future closer
for the Pirates, just like he was at Kent, or a setup man like Mr.
Hawkins. Well, at least they might be able to let him bat in the late
innings and save their bench. Time will tell on this decision, because if
he becomes a dominant starter, the Pirates’ scouting department will have
a major feather in their cap for noticing potential that no one else would
have thought to uncover.
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