I promised
all of you that, as soon as the season ended, I would breakout and post my
current Top 30 prospects.
This is
performance based, not players that came to the Mets full of promise but have
only produced butterscotch pudding. A perfect example of a player that didn’t
make this list is catcher Ronald Hernandez.
I still like the guy, but based on what he did in 2025, I don’t like him “top
30 guy”.
Nolan
McLean, Brandon Sproat, and Jonah
Tong (maybe) are not on this list. They have
graduated.
I will post
them in each of my weekly Observations and In Focus posts… one player at a
time… beginning with #30.
Today, we
move on to numero uno:
1. CF Carson
Benge
RF/CF/P 6-1
185 LHH 23/yrs. old in January
1st
round (1.19) 2024 – Oklahoma State
2025 – A+/AA/AAA – 519-PA, 92-K, 68-BB, 15-HR, 73-RBI, .281, .857-OPS
Carson Grant
Benge is a highly touted outfield prospect in the New York Mets organization.
Originally a
two-way player in college (outfield and pitching), Benge signed a $4 million
bonus with the Mets on July 23, 2024, and committed to focusing solely on
outfield duties.
Oklahoma
State - Benge starred for the Cowboys,
earning All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2024 after slashing .335/.444/.665 with
24 doubles, seven home runs, 43 RBIs, and more walks (42) than strikeouts (32)
in 304 plate appearances. His on-base skills and power potential stood out.
2024-2025
- Benge quickly adapted to pro ball,
debuting with Single-A St. Lucie (.273/.420/.436 over 15 games, two HRs).
He
represented the Mets in the 2025 All-Star Futures Game alongside pitcher Jonah
Tong.
Mets
president David Stearns has confirmed Benge will compete for the Opening Day
center field job in 2026 Spring Training, potentially solving a long-term need
after short-term fixes like Harrison Bader and Jose Siri.
While his
defense (71 starts in CF since high school) draws some caution, his elite bat
(.281 AVG, 15 HRs in 2025 minors) and speed (22 SBs) make him a strong in-house
option. Analysts project an MLB ETA of 2026, with potential to contribute
immediately if he refines his glove work.
No position
is harder to fill in free agency than center field. Eight of the 10 best center
fielders in baseball last season (by FanGraphs’ wins above replacement) made
their big-league debut for their current team. (The exceptions were Trent
Grisham and Jung Hoo Lee.) It was nine of 10 in 2024 (J.J. Bleday the
exception), eight of 10 in 2023 (Cody Bellinger and Kevin Kiermaier), and nine
of 10 in 2022 (George Springer) and 2021 (Starling Marte).
That means in
the last five years, of roughly the 50 best center field seasons, 43 came from
players either developed entirely in-house or acquired as minor-leaguers. Only
four came from free-agent signings (Lee, Bellinger, Kiermaier and Springer).
Compare that
to first base, where in the same time frame, just 21 of the best 50 seasons
have come from in-house options (five of them by Pete Alonso).
There’s a
reason why it’s so hard to add a center fielder in free agency
11-12-25
RVH
Carson
Benge, a 2024 first-round
pick, was named as a real candidate to make the big-league roster out of spring
training.
MetCast @MetCastPod
I’ve been
saying this for months — multiple people inside the Mets organization have told
me that Carson Benge is the apple of their
eye and was considered “untouchable” at this year’s trade deadline. I also
reported that he could be competing for a roster spot as early as this spring
training.
MACK – If this was true, it will change everything
immediately about the immediate future of the Mets outfield. Your starters out
of cam could be Benge, Brandon Nimmo, and Juan Soto, moving Tyrone Taylor to a
late inning defensive move in right
Running
From The OPS @OPS_BASEBALL
5 Hitting Prospects To Watch In 2026
MLB New
Mock Draft
The Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays and Dodgers had their
top picks dropped 10 spots as a penalty for exceeding the $241 million
competitive balance tax threshold in 2025 by more than $40 million. But we
can't leave anyone out during holiday season, so here are predictions for those
clubs as well:
27. Mets: Ryder Helfrick,
C, Arkansas (No. 29)
Helfrick combines the ingredients of a potential Gold Glover
behind the plate with 25-homer upside.
MACK –
Aw, come
on… another catcher?
Source:
Mets and Starling Marte have mutual interest in reunion
The idea is that Marte could fit as a bench piece, who can
serve as a part-time DH and backup outfielder, a similar role that he played in
last year upon the arrival of right fielder Juan
Soto.
Soto and Marte are very close with each other and Soto went
as far as to tell The New York Post that Marte was actually the captain of the
Mets given his leadership skills.
MACK –
I like
this for multiple reasons. First, it will be hard to find a more talented
short-term utility outfielder and, second, Marte will calm things down in the
clubhouse after the departure of both Diaz and Nimmo.
13 comments:
I like a Marte return if his knees are considered a go.
Beinge can be ready. Part of his AAA struggles was due to his missing several days after a HBP and then returning cold. I believe he finished 8 for his last 25. I am a believer that off season work can further improve a young player. throw him in there.
Reimer would be ready had he not missed almost of 2024 with his hamstring tear. A real shame.
Vientos won't fully replace Pete - but if he is a lot more aggressive on first pitches, he can cut his Ks and hit 20 points better. You'd then have a solid first base starter. Hitting coach, are you listening?
Marte
May not have the desired pop for a DH but could fit there + bring much needed clubhouse/dugout harmony
Benge
I think we are going to see a lot of him this ST
Reimer
Sadly, any conversion of him to first at Syracuse is currently blocked by Clifford
Vientos
Last chance Markie
Morning Mack, have you been hitting the doobies early this morning? Nimmo would have a long commute to be playing LF on opening day...lol.
I'm all in on Benge. I'm sure he'll get a lot of playing time in ST.
Like you said, last chance Mark....would you please listen to Tom for gosh sakes. Play well or next year you will be on the White Sox.
I'm lukewarm on Marte. Signing him means that they are going with what they have.
Sure, hope they load up on pitching.
Marte has been in this part time role for two seasons. That could be good, but the cost is a roster spot in an organization with many prospects looking for a shot. I think every player on the 26 has to be capable of playing every day.
Didn't catch that
Wrote that awhile back
My bad
Figured that...just joking.
Marte would play 120+ games as PT OF and DH.
He serves 2 purposes. Keeps Soto happy (while spiting Lindor)
and is a good clubhouse presence...you could do much worse.
He also wouldn't really block anyone because Benge would be in CF. If any of the kiddies makes a major jump in 2026, he goes back to his DH role and spare OF.
No to Marte… sorry Juan. There’s other ways of building a clubhouse. Contreras is good and useful, Simien can help. Marte got way too many at bats in September and in Miami that last weekend. We know our manager doesn’t have the stones to stand up to players, why provoke?
I have a feeling that the FO would rather start Benge out in a corner, where he’d be above average defensively, than in CF. Of course, as noted in Mack’s piece, it’s almost certainly be easier for the Mets to find a good corner OF this offseason than a good CF, which could force their hand.
Post a Comment