ELKVILLE, IL - Benji Downs, a three-year starter at Terre Haute South High School, helped his team post a 61-20 overall, losing only three conference games and winning back-to-back conference championships in 2017 and 2018. In addition to being the sectional Champs in 2018 before their season ended in the Elite. Downs went 13-3 on the mound at Terre Haute South (5-2 as a senior); (5-1 as a junior) and (3-0 as a sophomore), he finished his high school career with a 2.81 ERA  and tossing 121 strikeouts over the three seasons.

Downs was named two times to the First Team All-Conference. Name team MVP and Team Captain, while making the Academic All-State Team. In his spare time, he was a key member of the America Legion Wayne Newton Post  346 baseball team, winning a State Championship in 2018 a season after being the state runner up in 2017.

Scout's take, "the 6'4", 225 pounder has a lively fastball that sets in the 85-87 range, topping out at 88. He pitches from a high 3/4 slot with a clean arm swing. Tilt-to-topple style delivery. Lands square, finishes athletically, to defend his position. He has a 72-74 mph curve, with 11 to 5 downward movement. He's smooth and has a big mans arm. It's early in the signing season, but Downs could slot in as the Hoots #1 or #2 starter to begin the 2019 campaign and he has All-Star potential. A quality signing by the Hoots and at this time is potentially one of the top ten prospects signed to date."