TAMPA — Anticipation Surrounds Carson Benge
Mets fans weren’t the only ones eager to see Carson Benge in action on Sunday. Carlos Mendoza shared that excitement.
“I’m looking forward to watching him play for the first time in person,” Mendoza said prior to Benge’s Grapefruit League debut, which saw the Mets triumph over the Yankees 6-4 at Steinbrenner Field.
The 23-year-old started in right field, and while he may not have made a strong impact, that wasn’t the primary goal for the Mets.
Benge, the first-round draft pick from 2024, made a significant impression in the minor leagues last year during his first full season of professional baseball. Expectations surged after President of Baseball Operations David Stearns indicated in November that Benge “would be attending spring training with a chance to join our team.”
Stearns’ decision was further validated with the trade of Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers.
While the Mets acquired Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox for center field, a gap in right field still exists, with Juan Soto currently in left.
“In the end, I just want to be myself and whatever happens, happens,” Benge expressed before the game.
Benge began his game against Yankees right-hander Lewis Gil, followed by left-handed sidearm pitcher Tim Hill, in what was certainly a challenging start.
Some might argue that Benge needs additional experience before stepping into the big leagues, given that he has only played 131 minor league games after two years as a two-way player at Oklahoma State.
Whether he will be ready by Opening Day is uncertain, yet scouts are impressed with his abilities. There’s a growing consensus that Benge could make it to the majors soon—possibly by the end of March.
“It’s just the first day; I want him to stay true to himself, compete, and just play,” Mendoza noted.
Managers are encouraged to focus on the quality of Benge’s performance—his at-bats, pitches, base running, and defensive skills—rather than just outcomes.
Benge faced some challenges after moving up to Triple-A Syracuse mid-August but wrapped up the season positively, with 24 consecutive games without a hit.
Making the leap to the majors after just 24 games in Triple-A is uncommon, yet Benge is set on making the Opening Day roster.
“Absolutely,” he affirmed. “I just want to come here, do my best, and be myself. Whatever happens, happens.”
No matter the outcome, all eyes will be on Benge, with Mendoza eager to see how he manages the pressure.
“I’m interested to see how he copes with adversity,” Mendoza remarked about the outfielder, who has been at High-A Brooklyn since last season. “It can be tough, particularly with all the distractions out there. There’s a lot of noise, whether positive or negative. It’s all part of the journey. You could have a fantastic camp or struggle in a game. We’ve advised him to focus on what he can control and leave the decision-making to the higher-ups.”
Benge acknowledges the support from the organization, but he understands there’s a limit to how much that can propel him forward.
“It’s really cool,” he said. “Regardless of what happens, I want to stay true to myself and play the game as I always have.”
