Kornacki: Unlocking the Keys to Benedetti's Success
2/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 18, 2016
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Carmen Benedetti figures into driving in runs with his bat and keeping runs off the scoreboard with his arm.
This unique talent, a slugging junior first baseman with closer stuff, is going to be in the middle of Michigan's batting order and on the mound for his share of late-inning relief appearances.
Benedetti is not only one of the Big Ten's premier hitters -- having led the conference in RBIs and doubles in 2015 -- but also is a tough left-hander who allowed just four hits while striking out 23 in 14 2/3 innings last season.
He's a two-way threat for Wolverine coach Erik Bakich, and has the potential to follow Jacob Cronenworth in that manner. Cronenworth, a scrappy infielder, led Michigan in hits, runs and saves last season before getting drafted in the seventh round and signing with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Bakich, whose 15th-ranked team opens the season Friday (Feb. 19) against Canisius at the New York Mets' training facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida, said that Benedetti has improved in every way after a breakout sophomore season. He was named a first team All-American and the Wolverines won the Big Ten Tournament championship.
"His growth is impressive in a lot of ways," said Bakich. "As an athlete, what he's done physically to his body, his strength, body composition, athleticism. We joked with the team the other day that he was a slow runner his first year, an average runner last year, and now he's like a speedster on the bases.
"He's running good line times down to first (base) and I do a double-take watching video. I had to click my stopwatch four or five times, but he's one of our faster runners now. But that's just a small example of his growth and improvement over these last two or three years. He's developed not only as a hitter, but as a pitcher. He came in not as a pitcher, and then turned into a hard-throwing left-hander."
Benedetti pitched sparingly at Grosse Pointe (Michigan) South because of a hairline arm fracture. He babied the arm, but felt the strength coming back as a senior. Then Bakich decided to try him on the mound after playing catch with Benedetti to warm up prior to a practice in the fall of 2014. Bakich was uncomfortable trying to catch Benedetti because he released the ball behind his head and was difficult to pick up. He also had a live fastball that moved, while topping out at 94 mph.
"His command and secondary pitches were not as polished," said Bakich. "Now, not only is Carmen throwing two pitches, but he's throwing three pitches. He has a breaking ball and a changeup to go with a fastball that's improved in velocity.
"And his command is very good. So, he'll be counted on heavily at the end of the game in high-leverage spots. If he's in there, it's because it's an important part of the game."
He had a 1.84 ERA and three saves last season.
Benedetti was named to Baseball America's list of College Top 100 Draft Picks at No. 98, and Bakich believes his best potential could be as a pitcher. Though, Benedetti also could make it as a hitter.
He batted .352 and had Michigan's second-highest single-season totals ever with 25 doubles and 71 RBIs. That was a big jump from the .275 with 12 doubles and 28 RBIs as a freshman.
In regard to knocking in so many runs, Bakich said, "That's the most important stat for me because it's a team stat."
Benedetti said he "doesn't really think about statistics," and most cherishes the impact Michigan's batting order made from top to bottom. The Wolverines (39-25) led the Big Ten with 400 runs, a .296 batting average, 646 hits and 133 doubles.
He also enjoys being part of a talented bullpen.
Benedetti's off-speed pitches are a slider and changeup. He credits Wolverine pitching coach Sean Kenny and his pitching coach in the highly competitive Cape Cod League last summer, former major league southpaw Bill Bray, for improving his pitches and approach.
"I'm trying to make the slider break sharper," said Benedetti. "Now the changeup is more comfortable in my hand, and I'm throwing it for strikes."
He said Bray got him to set up on the first base side of the pitching rubber rather than the third base side "to get more on top of hitters," particularly left-handed batters, to make it even harder to pick up his pitches.
"Coach Kenny has helped me immensely," said Benedetti. "It's also little adjustments with him. He helped me with my set position. I would drop my knees and he got me to stand taller. I get my legs into it better and my arm slot is better. I make better pitches."
Having a consistent arm slot release point is central to having optimum pitch command.
Benedetti said the nutritional aspects taught by Bakich and working with baseball strength and condition coach Jason Cole have brought about improved strength, athleticism and speed. Benedetti said the shin splints that plagued him as a freshman are long gone, adding that he's able to be a more aggressive base-runner with better speed and improved knowledge.
"I came in as a freshman carrying too much weight," said Benedetti, now 6-2 and 225 pounds. "Putting more emphasis on strength and conditioning allowed my body to slim down, and I ate better, cutting out fast food and using some of Coach Bakich's recipes.
"When my body feels its best, I can compete my best."
Benedetti's contribution was significant to the Wolverines winning their first conference tourney title since 2008, and I asked him what he remembered most about beating Maryland, 4-3, to clinch it at Target Field in Minneapolis.
"The dog pile was something," said Benedetti. "I'd never really been a part of that. I was close to the bottom of it and almost couldn't get myself out. Guys were just piling on, and I was feeling for the guy on the bottom.
"But it was a special moment, for sure, something I'll never forget. I hope we get to do it again, and I know this team is very capable of it. It's very solid and we're looking to get better each day -- take each training session at a time, each pitch at a time."
He said the best thing about last season was simply spending every day with his teammates and coaches.
"They're all my brothers," said Benedetti. "I love those guys."
Now the time has come for another season, the 150th at Michigan.
"It's definitely exciting," said Benedetti. "It's going to be an exciting season, for sure. I know everyone's itching to get to Port St. Lucie and go play -- especially in very warm weather."
He chuckled and added, "I just want to do whatever I can to help this team win. I know every one of my teammates is approaching it the same way. It's going to be a great time."
