CINCINNATI — A.J. Ewing’s Unique Situation with the Mets

When the Mets arrived at Great American Ball Park this week, rookie outfielder A.J. Ewing felt the whole scene was a bit “weird.” Growing up just 55 miles away in Springboro, Ohio, he attended many Reds games as a child. Interestingly, he didn’t count himself as a huge fan, but he did have a special interest in Joey Votto.

“I watched some great games here,” Ewing recalled before the Mets’ matchup with the Reds. “I’ll never forget seeing Homer Bailey throw a no-hitter when I was just eight. It’s one of those moments that sticks with you.”

This week, many of Ewing’s friends and family are tuned in to watch him play at home.

There are multiple aspects of Ewing’s game that stand out. His skills on defense and base running have been noticeable since he joined from Triple-A Syracuse on May 12. Recently, his batting has also seen significant improvement.

As of June, Ewing had a .289 batting average with a .340 on-base percentage and a .444 slugging percentage, raising his OPS to .706. His most impressive outing came last Sunday, hitting a home run during a three-hit performance that helped the Mets secure a series win against the Braves. In his last 12 games, he recorded an .858 OPS.

Juan Soto commented on Ewing’s at-bats: “He manages to get into favorable counts often, usually 3-2. It’s great to see him make pitchers work.”

At just 21, Ewing finds himself in this position after Luis Robert Jr. landed on the injured list with a herniated lumbar disc. The Mets needed a center fielder, and Ewing stepped right in.

This moment is a big deal, especially since he was still gaining experience during spring training. When asked if he envisioned playing regularly back in March, Ewing admitted, “Honestly, I’m not sure what I thought. I figured I could make an impact but getting this opportunity is huge for me, and I’m determined to make the most of it.”

Currently, the Mets, sitting at 32-40 and last in the NL East, recognize the importance of Ewing’s contributions as they search for solutions.

Manager Carlos Mendoza noted, “Ewing has a knack for controlling the strike zone and putting the ball in play. But his adaptability is what really stands out.”

Ewing credits his interactions with Soto as a major factor in his growth. He said, “The intensity and focus he brings to his preparation really rub off on me. It boosts my energy going into games.”

Teammates have taken notice of Ewing’s competitive spirit. Bo Bichette remarked, “He’s incredibly talented. What’s admirable is his daily drive to compete. Watching him improve now and in the future is exciting.”

With Soto locked in through 2039, there’s potential for a strong partnership in the outfield involving Ewing and Benji.

Soto highlighted this potential, saying, “It’s going to be exciting to see how this unfolds. It will definitely make an impact.”