This spring I visited all of the Cactus League ballparks. As one of my friends loves to say about my tour of the spring training sites, “he was like a kid in a candy store”. I truly was. One of the many highlights was a trip to Tempe Diablo Stadium to see the Reds and Angels. I had my choice of seats down the third base line outside of the Cincinnati dugout. When Reds outfielder Will Benson caught the third out of the first inning, he trotted off the field and flipped the ball right to me. I made the catch, checked again that there were no kids near me, and decided to keep the souvenir for myself. I indeed felt like a kid again. But I also felt this sudden connection to Benson, rooting for his success.

When the Reds broke camp this spring, Benson was sent down to Triple-A. He had been on a big league roster since 2022, but last year he had a down year, batting only .187 and striking out 40% of the time. Maybe it was time for a little wake up call, and Benson made the most of his time in Louisville tearing up the Interleague League. Benson was called up to Cincinnnati on May 9, and just a week later was named the National League Player of the Week. Beginning the week of May 15, Benson hit .526 with 5 home runs and 10 RBIs.

Pete Crow-Armstrong, who should this week be named NL Player of the Month for May, is also a sent down success story. Many Cubs fans questioned the 2021 trade that sent Javier Baez to the Mets for a minor league outfielder, now known by everyone as simply, “PCA”. PCA made his MLB debut in September, 2023, and started slowly at the plate. In spring training 2024 he batted just .138, so the Cubs optioned him to Triple-A Iowa to begin the season. When Cody Bellinger was injured, PCA returned and in a big way. In his rookie season, he hit 10 HRs, stole 27 bases, knocked in 47 runs, and dazzled the Wrigley crowd with sensational outfield play and baserunning instincts. So far this season, PCA is putting up MVP-type numbers. Recently, PCA became just the third MLB player all-time to have 14 HRs, 14 stolen bases, and 45 RBIs through his first 51 games. He may be the most exciting player in the game today.

There are stories aplenty of MLB stars needing a demotion to the minor leagues to reset their stardom. HOF pitcher Roy Halladay, who pitched for the Blue Jays and Phillies (1998-2013), is one of them. Toronto selected “Doc” in the first round of MLB’s 1995 draft. He debuted with the club in 1998 and came close to throwing a no-hitter in his second start. In 2000, he struggled out of the gate and was actually demoted to the low minor leagues to rework his delivery. He certainly succeeded in that – an 8-time All-Star and 2-time Cy Young winner (2003 AL and 2010 NL). His crowning achievements both occurred in 2010, a perfect game in the regular season and a no-hitter in the postseason.

Another Blue Jays pitcher in that era, Chris Carpenter, who worked the hill for Toronto and St. Louis (1997-2012), has a similar story. At the age of 22, he debuted in May 1997 with the Jays but was rocked in his first start against the Twins, losing 12-2. Two starts later his first season looked even more shaky as he had a 12.71 ERA and an 0-2 record. Carpenter was sent to Syracuse where he dominated AAA-ball for a two-month stint. After returning to the big league club in late July, there was no looking back. Carpenter, whose stardom was mostly in his nine seasons with the Cardinals, was a 3-time All-Star, Cy Young winner, and two-time Sporting News National League Pitcher of the Year. As a Cardinal, he had a lifetime .683 winning percentage on the mound.

As to today’s stars, the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber comes to mind. Schwarber also was a first-round MLB selection (2014 by the Cubs). He had a magnificent rookie season in 2015, including a memorable HR at Wrigley against the Cardinals in the NL playoffs. He spent the entire 2016 season on the DL, but returned in the World Series as a designated hitter against the Indians. Kyle is the only player in MLB history to get his first hit of the season in the Series. His 2017 season started off slowly at the plate. In late June when he was demoted to Triple-A Iowa, he had the lowest batting average in the major leagues. After the All-Star break, he returned to the Cubs and busted out again, hitting .290 with a .954 OPS in September. “Schwarbs” is one of the most feared power hitters in today’s game.

Another first-round selection of the Cubs (2023), current third baseman Matt Shaw, experienced the sent down feeling just this season. Shaw tore up AA (Tennessee Smokies) and AAA (Iowa Cubs) last season, in fact winning the Southern League’s MVP award. The Cubs took Shaw to Japan in March to open as their third baseman. Unfortunately, Matt had a slow start and was sent down to Iowa in April. In mid-May Shaw returned to the Cubbies and went 5 for 11 with 2 runs, 2 RBIs and 2 steals in his first series back. On Tuesday this past week he captured a walk-off hit in a win against the Rockies.

I must admit that I have a special incentive to see Shaw succeed. You see, I took my older grandson to the Cubs Convention this past January in Chicago. Like any 9-year old boy, his goal was to obtain as many autographs as possible. The autograph lines were long and winding. I happened to see Matt sitting at a small booth in the souvenir area with just a handful of fans around him. I knew exactly who it was and told my grandson that this autograph might be one of his best ever. After having Matt sign a baseball, take some photos, and chat with us for a few minutes, my grandson was beaming. I hope Shaw proves my grandson’s Papa right.

Until next Monday,

your Baseball Bench Coach