Velocity Sports Performance Official Website

John Wesley Van Benschoten (pronounced Van BEN-sko-tin)...Single...Is a 1998 graduate of Milford (OH) High School...Played three years of baseball at Kent State University...Played first base and the outfield and was named a first-team Louisville Slugger All-American by Collegiate Basebal newspaper in 2001...Was also tabbed as the Mid-American Conference Player-of-the-Year and the MAC Tournament Most Valuable Player...Holds Kent State and Mid-American Conference single-season records for home runs (31), hits (99), RBI (84) walks (55) and total bases (221)...Ranked 8th in the nation in batting average (.440) and led the MAC with a .982 slugging percentage his senior year...Was ranked by Baseball America as Pittsburgh's No. 1 prospect prior to the 2003 and 2004 seasons..Was rated as the 2nd-best prospect in the organization by the same publication prior to the 2002 season and as the 3rd-best prospect prior to the 2005 campaign...Signed by Pirate scout Duane Gustavson.

2006

Threw off a mound during team's mini camp on 1/11; his first "action" since having right shoulder surgery on 1/27/05...Began regular season on Pittsburgh's 15-day disabled list...Made rehab start with GCL Pirates on 8/8 and took a no-hitter into the 6th inning before losing a 4-2 decision to the GCL?Red Sox...Made second rehab start with Double-A Altoona on 8/14 at Connecticut (game one) and won a 4-2 decision (5.0ip/3h/2r)...Was recalled from his rehab assignment, reinstated from the D.L. and optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on 8/18...Was victorious in first start with Indy on 8/19 vs. Richmond (6.0ip/2er)...Received a no-decision on 8/24 at Toledo (4.2ip/4er) and lost a 6-2 decision vs. Louisville on 9/2 (1.0ip/1er).