Sam Benschoter, a former standout for Michigan State baseball, has been selected to the USA Baseball roster for the prestigious World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier12™ tournament. This exciting announcement, made on Monday, recognizes Benschoter’s growth and success in professional baseball.
USA Baseball Roster Overview
The USA Baseball team for the Premier12 tournament consists of 28 players, divided into 15 pitchers and 13 position players. Notably, none of the players on the roster are currently on Major League Baseball’s 40-man roster. The team is an impressive mix of seasoned veterans and up-and-coming talent, including four USA Baseball alumni and four MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects. These athletes represent the future of USA Baseball and will compete on the international stage in the upcoming tournament.
Tournament Details
Team USA is set to compete in Group A of the Premier12 tournament, which will take place from November 9-14 in Guadalajara and Tepic, Mexico. The group stage will kick off with a match between Team USA and Puerto Rico on November 9. This tournament offers an exciting opportunity for players to display their skills in front of a global audience.
Benschoter’s 2024 Season Performance
Currently part of the Cincinnati Reds organization, Benschoter had a standout 2024 season, splitting his time between the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts and the Triple-A Louisville Bats. He posted a solid 4.33 ERA, recording 101 strikeouts in 104 innings. In Double-A, Benschoter showed excellent form, with a 3.95 ERA across 27 appearances, including 10 starts. His performance solidified his reputation as a strong and consistent pitcher within the Reds system.
Sam Benschoter (image via Getty)Career Highlights
Benschoter’s career has been marked by significant achievements. After signing with the Cincinnati Reds as a non-drafted free agent in July 2021, he quickly made an impact. Originally from Tecumseh, Michigan, Benschoter has accumulated 143 strikeouts over 45 appearances. During the 2021 season, he ranked 12th in the Big Ten Conference with 79 strikeouts, showing his ability to excel in high-pressure situations. Notable performances include:
- Opening Game Performance: Benschoter made a strong impression in the 2021 season opener, striking out 10 batters in a 6-0 victory over Maryland. He pitched a career-high 8.0 innings, allowing just five hits.
- Record-Breaking Game: On April 25, 2021, Benschoter set a Michigan State school record by striking out 17 batters in a game against Nebraska. This performance surpassed the previous record set by Mark Mulder in 1998 and earned Benschoter national recognition, including being named the Big Ten Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week.
Coaching Staff and Leadership
The 2024 Team USA will be managed by Mike Scioscia, a former MLB player and manager with extensive experience, including managing Team USA during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. The coaching staff also includes Bench Coach Ron Roenicke, Pitching Coach Dave Wallace, and Hitting Coach Rick Eckstein, who collectively bring a combined 84 seasons of big-league coaching experience to the team.
Premier12 Tournament Overview
The 2024 Premier12 tournament will feature the world’s top 12 ranked baseball teams as of December 31, 2023. Team USA is aiming for its first gold medal in Premier12 history, having previously earned second place in 2015 and fourth place in 2019. The tournament will be held across Japan, Mexico, and Taiwan, with the initial round taking place in Guadalajara and Tepic, Mexico, before advancing to the final round in Tokyo, Japan.
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