Twins

Sunday Q&A with Joe Benson, Twins prospect

Outfielder Joe Benson, in his first major league camp with the Twins, is ranked as the game's 100th-best prospect by Baseball America.

By La Velle E. Neal III

March 6, 2011 at 8:54AM

Twins outfielder Joe Benson hit a three-run triple in last week’s Grapefruit League opener against the Red Sox. (Associated Press - Ap/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Outfielder Joe Benson, in his first major league camp with the Twins, is ranked as the game's 100th-best prospect by Baseball America. La Velle E. Neal III grabbed him for a few minutes this past week to learn, among other things, that he didn't follow fellow Joliet (Ill.) Catholic alum Mike Alstott and play football.Q You rocked in high school football. Did you have a chance to play on the Division I level?

A Not as many. I shut down the process early because I told everyone I wanted to do baseball. Some Big Ten schools came around asking if I would be willing to do both. Northwestern offered to let me do both. Illinois was open to wanting to do both. Purdue. I really wanted to go to Wisconsin, but they didn't have a baseball team.

Q What is the most you've rushed for in a game?

A 367 yards. [A quick trip to the Internet revealed it was 363 yards, on 17 carries.]

Q What are your musical tastes?

A I'm a big classic rock guy. Led Zeppelin. Rolling Stones. The Who. Bob Seger. Tom Petty. Bruce Springsteen. I listen to a little rap, a little country.

Q If "Dancing with the Stars" were held during the offseason, would you accept an invitation to compete?

A Absolutely not. I have two left feet. That wouldn't happen.

Q You once broke your hand in frustration after an at-bat. What did you learn from that?

A First, if you punch at a chain-link fence, don't hit the post. The time I missed from the team -- with the Miracle in 2009 -- probably was the worst punishment. Going to every game. Watching my team clinch the first-half championship and celebrating and I wasn't with the guys. That enough was a lesson learned. Being away from the game is the worst.

Q What's it like to have a stall between the M&M Boys -- Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau?

A It's been fun watching them handle their business. It's been crazy with all the media. The boxes coming in. I'll be out of here pretty soon for their equipment space to be back -- the extra locker in between.

Q Have they given you anything yet?

A I get by with what I have. But I might start eyeing some stuff.

Q A Twitter question from @kflynn013: What is your biggest obstacle to overcome so you can succeed as a Twin?

A Probably cutting down on strikeouts. That's something I always say I want to work on. And I feel like I'm getting closer. I feel like it's more an experience thing than a coaching thing. Getting in cage, working on fundamentals and going out there and getting at-bats. It's all a process.