The 2026 baseball season will begin in less than two weeks and it’s hard not to be excited about the Mets outlook. Thus far, spring training has only reinforced the view that this will be a special season for our team.
The future looks bright with players like Carson Benge, AJ Ewing, Jack Wenninger and Christian Scott continuing to shine. Of those four Benge looks like he is slated to open the season in Queens.
He should be our right fielder for the next decade. It’s a joy watching him perform during spring training. You don’t need to be an expert to recognize that this is one talented individual. Benge brings a professionalism that you don’t see very often – certainly looks the part of a five-tool player. Reminds me of the old-school type of player who can beat you in multiple ways.
I love his contact first approach to hitting with the ability to punish mistakes. I see him as a future .300+ hitter who gives you superb defense. A potential future all-star and a candidate for ROY. It’s been suggested that he start the year in Syracuse given his underwhelming stats in AAA last year. However, a closer look at the numbers shows that his output was skewed due to an injury suffered when he was hit by a pitch. It would be a huge mistake to send him down for more seasoning.
Brett Baty is an interesting case. He has the ability to play multiple positions. Right now, he is probably the best third baseman as well as the best first baseman on the team. With Benge having locked down the RF job, and Bo Bichette on third, it only makes sense to make Baty the full time first baseman. He certainly looks the part. Jorge Polanco is the logical DH and potential replacement for Semien at second, if he falters.
Marcus Semien, he of the gold glove, has not shown any offensive prowess thus far. This is a very strong offensive lineup able to carry a defense first second baseman. The question remains for how long. The lineup as presently constructed does not seem to have room for either Mark Vientos or Ronny Mauricio. While it’s likely that Mauricio begins the year in the minors, it’s hard to envision a role for Vientos. It would not be a surprise is Vientos is traded.
AJ Ewing reminds me of a Lenny Dykstra type of player, except without the baggage. If Luis Robert lives up to his talent and has an outstanding year where does Ewing fit in when he is ready to mature to the majors. A nice problem to have, I guess.
The pitching staff has generally performed well so far, although Sean Manaea’s lack of velocity has some concerned. The good news is that Tobias Meyers and Christian Scott can pick up the slack if necessary.
As I’ve said before, this is the best I’ve felt about my team in a long time. Assuming we don’t suffer devastating injuries, we should have a very successful season.
Ray
March 14,
2026
12 comments:
A lot to like here, Ray. And Ryan Lambert is totally making me forget Bryce Montes de Oca. Which Mack will be happy to hear.
If Benge is on the opening day roster, they have to have a fall back in case he flounders for a while. Hopefully Tauchman would accept a AAA assignment, although he deserves to be in the major leagues.
Semien has mostly been a lousy spring training hitter since 2019. Why, who knows. But the dude now is 35…
Benge had another quality hit last night on a difficult pitch from opposite side pitcher. A major league hit.
It would take far less to forget Oca.
Also
You have to be thrilled with what Kodai Senga did last night. Fastball up to 99, coupled to curve below 69
Wouldn't it be nice if the ace is back?
Ray,
I think you are right in putting Baty at first base. Give him a chance and I think the team will be pleased.
Now it’s time to see them start playing more as a unit during the final two week ramp up.
Lindor even playing (hope not rushing) so that seems like good news as well
Remember, even the great Willie Mays had a rough start to his career. Allow Benge time to establish himself.
I don't think the team will put Baty at first. They generated too much publicity by acquiring Polanco for that position to give up on it this fast. Maybe around mid-year if it is clear that Polanco can't field the position well we may see a change.
All good observations Ray! Looking forward to seeing these young guns play.
I am most pleased with Mauricio's apparent comeback. I strongly believe that Polanco should be #1 DH and I had hoped Baty/Vientos at 1st, but I think Vientos has played himself out of the lineup. Mauricio should be the utility infielder and power bad off the bench. He can't hit RHP which means he shouldn't platoon with Baty at 1st.
I had expressed the view after the season that Tsenga's problems were due to his injury and a weakened leg stability impacts his top pitches the most. Hopefully he will stay healthy. I also discussed how arm angle in pitchers impacts obliques, spine bend and acceleration -- depending on whether you are a thrower or a slinger. Manaea is a thrower; Sale is a slinger. The angle can be the same, but the impact on the body completely different. Release point can be the same, but the kind of release can be completely different. Think of Sale as a super tall Pedro Martinez. different arm angles of course, but both are slingers, unlike pitchers with big trunks; most pitchers with think of as throwing from their arms vs. their trunks match up with this difference: Seaver, Clemons, Ryan, are trunk pitchers who recruits a lot of energy from the ground. Sale and Martinez are examples of slingers. Some have just great combinations and really efficient sequences like Gibson, Koufax, Gooden. Manaea is kind of in nowhere land and isn't able to generate enough acceleration because he is not a slinger, but his arm angle also means he is not in the best physical position to transfer energy from the ground up. He'd have to improve his sequencing to increase his velocity. Right now he has to rely on deception and location to be effective, and he has to both increase and control movement. He is still in the experimental/recovery stage. I am modestly pessimistic at this point. Again, it can be done but you are never just changing one thing. If you change one thing, you have to change five other things to make them work in sync together.
Very interesting analysis
Jules, have the Mets offered you a contract yet?
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