Wesley Scott Benjamin (born July 26, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, and in the KBO League for the KT Wiz.
Benjamin attended St. Charles East High School in St. Charles, Illinois. He played college baseball for the University of Kansas Jayhawks. Benjamin underwent Tommy John surgery on April 10, 2014. After his junior year of college, he was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the fifth round, 156th overall, of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.
Benjamin made his professional debut with the Arizona League Rangers of the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2015, appearing in one game for them. He spent the 2016 season with the Hickory Crawdads of the SingleâÂÂA South Atlantic League, going 6âÂÂ5 with a 3.79 ERA and 101 strikeouts over 102 innings. He spent the 2017 season with the Down East Wood Ducks of the HighâÂÂA Carolina League, going 10âÂÂ7 with a 3.94 ERA and 101 strikeouts over innings pitched. Benjamin split the 2018 season between the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League and the AZL Rangers, going a combined 5âÂÂ6 with a 3.32 ERA and 81 strikeouts over innings. He spent the 2019 season with the Nashville Sounds of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, going 7âÂÂ6 with a 5.52 ERA and 114 strikeouts over innings.
Benjamin was called up to the major leagues for the first time on August 11, 2020. He made his major league debut on August 16 against the Colorado Rockies. With the Rangers in 2020, Benjamin went 2âÂÂ1 with a 4.84 ERA and 21 strikeouts over innings.
With the Round Rock Express of the Triple-A West in 2021, Benjamin went 2âÂÂ5 with a 8.29 ERA. With Texas in 2021, Benjamin went 0âÂÂ2 with a 8.74 ERA and 19 strikeouts over innings. On October 3, 2021, Benjamin was designated for assignment. On October 6, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to TripleâÂÂA Round Rock.
On February 21, 2022, Benjamin signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox. He made 7 starts for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, going 2âÂÂ0 with a 3.82 ERA in innings. On May 17, 2022, Benjamin requested and was granted his release in order to pursue an opportunity in Asia.
On May 18, 2022, Benjamin signed with the KT Wiz of the KBO League. For KT in 2022, he posted a 5âÂÂ4 record with a 2.70 ERA and 77 strikeouts over innings.
On December 9, 2022, Benjamin re-signed with KT for the 2023 season on a $1.3 million contract. In 29 starts for the Wiz, he registered a 15âÂÂ6 record and 3.54 ERA with 157 strikeouts across 160 innings of work.
On December 12, 2023, Benjamin once more reâÂÂsigned with the team on a oneâÂÂyear, $1.4 million contract. In 30 starts, he went 11âÂÂ8 with a 4.63 ERA and 156 strikeouts over innings. On November 30, 2024, the Wiz nonâÂÂtendered Benjamin, making him a free agent.
On February 25, 2025, Benjamin signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. He made 28 appearances (22 starts) for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, posting a 4-8 record and 6.42 ERA with 88 strikeouts and one save over 108 innings of work. Benjamin was released by the Padres organization on November 3.