Apr 11, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets left fielder Carson Benge (3) celebrates in the dugout with his teammates after scoring a run in the sixth inning against the Athletics at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
QUEENS, NY — This probably is not how Carson Benge drew up his first month in the majors.
The 23-year-old right fielder — who shot through the Mets’ minor-league ranks last season to the tune of a .281 average, .857 OPS, 15 home runs, and 73 RBI in 116 games — has yet to find his offensive stride in the big leagues. Entering Wednesday night’s middle game against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field, he is 9-for-66 (.136) on the season with a .416 OPS.
Everything else has come as advertised. He leads the Mets with six stolen bases, and his defense is well above average. His outs above average (range) ranks in MLB’s 87th percentile, and his arm strength is in the 95th.
“It definitely has not been perfect,” Benge told amNewYork. “There’s definitely things to work on. But I trust in my ability to be able to adapt and overcome whatever may happen. So I feel like I’ll be in a good position.”
The Oklahoma State product implored that he felt like his offensive breakout “is close,” even if the results have not suggested that. But what made Benge such a can’t-miss prospect is starting to show at the dish. His 4.27 pitches seen per plate appearance ranks 24th among all MLB hitters with at least 70 plate appearances this season.
His bat speed is increasing, with an 0-for-3 performance in Tuesday night’s loss featuring swings of 76 and 75 mph on balls put in play, which was noticeably above his season average of 71 mph. He had the hardest-hit ball in play when he smacked a 108.6 mph grounder to shortstop. It was one of two balls he put in play at over 100 mph — the other being a 102.2 mph grounder that also found the glove of Twins shortstop Brooks Lee.
He also turned on a full-count Simeon Woods Richardson fastball and sent it 321 feet to the warning track in right field in the fourth inning.
“I definitely believe in myself and definitely know that everyone here believes in me,” Benge said. “So that’s all you really need. Just knowing myself and knowing that I have it, and knowing I can do it. It feels like it’s close.”
For more on Carson Benge and the Mets, visit AMNY.com
