Highly rated prospect Carson Benge wins Mets' right field job
NEW YORK (AP) — Touted prospect Carson Benge made the New York Mets' opening day roster and will begin the season as their starting right fielder. The team announced Monday that Benge is set to make his major league debut Thursday against reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. “Joy over everything, I would say.
Just knowing that I worked hard for it. Countless hours I spent, and all my family members and friends that have sacrificed some time for me, and that it’s all going to come true — my dream since I was little — is pretty cool,” Benge told reporters before the Mets broke camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
“It’s going to be surreal. I’m going to try my best to take it in. But, stay calm and play my game.
" With slugger Juan Soto shifting from right field to left this season, the 23-year-old Benge had been competing primarily with veteran Mike Tauchman in spring training for the job in right. Tauchman, however, left Saturday's game against Houston because of discomfort in his left knee. Testing revealed a torn meniscus, requiring surgery that's likely to sideline the 35-year-old outfielder for months.
Benge, selected 19th overall by the Mets in the 2024 amateur draft from Oklahoma State, is rated the club's second-best prospect and No. 16 in baseball by MLB Pipeline. The left-handed hitter batted .