AJ Ewing and Carson Benge Shine for Mets

Juan Soto may not be widely recognized for his defensive skills, but a closer look at his glove suggests he has solid abilities in that area. Recently, his teammates AJ Ewing and Carson Benge have been bringing a lot of attention to their defensive highlights.

“They’re fantastic,” Soto remarked. “They even call each other psychopaths. You wouldn’t believe how hard they slam into the walls while chasing down balls. It’s something else. Watching them is a blast.”

In a recent game, Ewing made a spectacular play during the Mets’ 10-1 win over the Marlins. With two outs and the bases loaded in the fourth inning, he lunged for a shot by Connor Norby and slammed into the wall. Surprisingly, rather than looking shaken, Ewing seemed to thrive on the adrenaline of such moments.

“I feel great,” Ewing commented, downplaying any potential aftereffects from the collision. “I think it’s okay to take hits going 30 mph. Not that I’m planning to test that, but hey, the odds are decent.”

The Mets are quite impressed by Ewing’s athleticism, which undoubtedly helped him climb through the minor leagues. They believe that his attitude and determination are what will allow him to face the challenges of stepping straight into the MLB.

Meanwhile, Benji, another rookie, has shown similar qualities. Just recently, he almost made a diving catch in right-center field, further showcasing his fearlessness. Soto has refrained from taking on a leadership role, preferring to view Ewing and Benge as equals as they all share the excitement of being in the big leagues.

“I’m not trying to lead here,” Soto clarified. “I want to be one of them. This is their debut too.” Ewing and Benge might not match Soto’s offensive stats, but they certainly have the potential to make significant contributions.

On Saturday, Benji had a notable three-hit game, followed by a leadoff home run on Sunday, marking his fourth homer of the year—his first against a left-handed pitcher. Ewing has hit a bit of a slump recently, going 10 games without extra-base hits and racking up 17 strikeouts (three of which came on Sunday), but he still managed a walk and an RBI in the same game.

Defensively, however, both players have been solid. After his recent incredible catch, Ewing expressed he wouldn’t hesitate to dive into a wall again. “I feel more confident now,” he said. “I’m definitely not afraid.”

Carlos Mendoza praised the pair’s impact, saying, “This is a game changer. Our pitchers are thriving because of the plays being made in the outfield.” Marcus Semien, who has a unique vantage point from second base, noted, “A lot of those balls seem to sail over my head. They look like doubles and triples, but they run them down. Experience will only help them grow.”