Watch Mets rookie Carson Benge's historic home run in MLB debut
Mets' top prospect clubs home run in MLB debut vs. Pirates on Opening Day.
A gaggle of extremely talented rookies are set to debut on Opening Day , and deeper into the 2026 season. Yet Carson Benge was the first one to get a most significant milestone out of the way. Benge, the New York Mets' right fielder, hit a first-pitch sweeper off Pittsburgh Piratees right-hander Justin Lawrence way over the right field fence, richocheting against the walls of the Mets bullpen, for a home run in just his fourth career plate appearance in the sixth inning of the Mets' opener March 26.
And what a bit of history to make: Benge joins Japanese shortstop Kazuo Matsui as the only Mets to hit opening-day home runs in their major league debuts. WELCOME TO THE SHOW KID!!! @Carsonbenge3 | #LGM pic.
twitter. com/TtPJHhQcn0 ā New York Mets (@Mets) March 26, 2026 The Mets are confident Benge may have a more impactful career than the serviceable Matsui. In fact, their 2026 championship dreams are in no small part counting on that.
After all, it was Benge's presence that gave the club the confidence to shift Juan Soto to left field and roll with a new-look outfield that includes center fielder Luis Robert sandwiched between them. Now Benge, the former Oklahoma State Cowboy picked 19th overall in 2024, has a big fly on the board. Catcher Francisco Alvarez followed him with a back-to-back shot that gave New York an 11-5 lead into the seventh inning.