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What if Connor Benge stays? What if he goes?

Jul 11, 2025 | 9:32 AM

By Hunt Palmer

Early in the season, Connor Benge’s role was clearly defined.

He was the dirty inning reliever. When a starter or long reliever got into trouble, Benge was called on to get out of it. Seven of his 17 outings were less than an inning in length.

His 96 mph fastball and hard slider are both good pitches. However, in the role of a jam escape artist (and any role), you have to throw strikes. In Benge’s last 1.2 innings, he walked three and hit three.

That was the end of his season. Benge didn’t pitch again after LSU was run-ruled by Northwestern State.

He’s pitching in the MLB draft League this summer. In his only appearance to this point he worked an inning with two walks and two strikeouts.

IF HE STAYS

This one is tough, because there is nothing in the statistics that suggests Benge is a quality SEC reliever.

Seven walks and a hit by pitch in SEC play won’t cut it. He also gave up seven hits including three homers, all in 5.1 innings. League hitters hit .333 against him.

My basis in believing Benge can help is rooted in his profile. I watch major league pitchers with a 96 mph fastball and hard slider get outs every night. Benge has both. He’s not a starter. He’s not a closer. He’s a short reliever.

He just needs to command things more effectively.

I’ve written about an expanded role for Chase Shores, Conner Ware, Jaden Noot and Jacob Mayers should any of them stay at LSU. That’s not the case for Benge. He is what he is.

I just think he can be better at it.

IF HE GOES

LSU can fill that role. And there’s no guarantee Benge would do it anyway. Jay Johnson has added to the bullpen through the portal, and Gavin Guidry kind of fits the profile I’ve given for Benge. He’s a little lighter on velocity with a more proven breaking ball.

Benge could be a quality inexpensive sign for an organization if they can get him to hammer the bottom of the strike zone with the fastball and tunnel the slider off of that.

That will be Nate Yeskie’s task, if not.

Hunt Palmer

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