Originally published at: https://pistolsfiringblog.com/learning-from-teammate-nolan-mclean-former-oklahoma-state-two-way-standout-carson-benge-will-play-only-outfield-in-pros/
‘As hard as it is to do one thing, it’s double amount of hard to do both’
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I think as a starting pitcher it’s crazy difficult. As a reliever it’s probably more doable. But position player first, just like Jac Caglianone should do. oSu knocked the cover off the ball against Caglianone, who if he goes both ways, needs to develop a couple of better off-speed pitches. I hope Benge gets a chance later on, I think he has the potential, again as a reliever. Starting outfielder plus starting pitcher, let’s say as the #5 starter would be really tough.
Goes to show how crazy good Ohtani is to be able to do both, assuming his UCL is fine and he comes back to pitch.
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He was NEVER going to be a big league pitcher.
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Sure, Prophet Not. You.Know.All.
The biggest singular difference between Benge and Mclean is that Benge swings it from the left side. Theyre similar on the mound. Mclean is probably a better position player, but the left handed bat is the difference. If Mclean was a left handed hitter, hed be a position player too.
Not sure I’d agree that McLean is a better position player. Benge has much better wheels. But on the other hand McLean can play infield, but didn’t Benge play a few games at third in his career? I think McLean is only playing OF (besides pitching) in the minors if I remember from seeing his stats. They both should’ve learned to switch-hit. 
Let’s call it even.
McLean was a better defensive 3b than Benge is an OF. Benge had to move to the OF because he wasn’t nearly good enough on the IF. I saw Benge live for 3 years before he ever set foot on campus. Great hitter. Pure hitter. Tough as nails. But he was never gonna be a bigtime infielder. Again, Mcleans got the better frame & tools to be a pitcher in the big leagues. Benge got drafted in the 1st rd because of his bat.
McLean was never gonna be a position player in the professional ranks because of him swinging from the right side. Ever. If you’re gonna strictly be a right handed hitter, you better be ELITE at something. Anyone who thought otherwise doesn’t really know baseball.
Yes, you know all. I only played the game 40 years, but only know how to play. 
Tell me how Benges ability to run……makes him a better 3b than McLean??
I played on a team that won the Big 12 regular season, won the Conf tournament, & even got a few AB’s in Omaha, including a HR……so I know a little too😉