An infielder, Benavides played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, and Montreal Expos from 1991 to 1994.

The Colorado Rockies selected Benevides from the Reds in the MLB expansion draft, and he played for them during the 1993 season.

[2] During the 2007 season he spent time as interim manager of the Cincinnati Reds' Rookie-Advanced affiliate, the Billings Mustangs.

He has also served as the infield coordinator of the Reds' minor league affiliates and is also head coach of the Freddie Benavides Baseball Academy, which takes place in Laredo from late November to mid January yearly.

[1] On September 22, 2024, the Reds fired Bell and named Benavides the interim manager for the remaining five games of the 2024 season.