The Binghamton Rumble Ponies held their media day on Tuesday so I had the opportunity to speak with two of their top prospects. Today's post is the first - AJ Ewing.
AJ Ewing was drafted out of high school by the Mets in 2023 as a fourth round pick. Ewing very quickly proved his worth as he rapidly moved up in the organization during his first two years. He spent the last 28 games of the 2025 season with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (AA) and helped the team win the Eastern League Championship.
Q: How are you feeling being back this year?
Ewing: Spring was really fun, but I am excited to play some games that have more of an edge to it.
Q: You were able to see some very competitive games on your way through the system last year. What did you learn from the experience last year and what are you looking to bring this year?
Ewing: Those competitive games are what this game is all about. When the game is on the line and it is coming down to the wire - I’m just really looking forward to getting going and playing games in that type of environment.
Q: What have you been working on this off-season?
Ewing: Working on my body. Getting in better shape to become a stronger, more explosive athlete. Working to get better at the things I do well - making contact and running fast.
Q: You had an awesome spring – showed what you can do at the very highest level. This year you begin at AA because the organization is stacked with talent. What is it like to be in such a competitive environment?
Ewing: It is a lot of fun – this is what the game is all about. Me against the pitcher, our team against their team. I live for it, honestly.
Q: Can you talk about your spring training? Were there things you were working on that showed up in the games?
Ewing: I think spring training was a great experience for me. A lot of stuff I worked on in the off-season kind of showed up – hitting the ball to the pull side a little more. I went through strength camp last year and my speed numbers are up a lot.
Q: You had 13 stolen bases in 2024, then last season you had 70. What drove this change and led to your improvement?
Ewing: It was really all about confidence. That’s the most important thing when it comes to stealing bases. In my first year, I was a little nervous to take off, but last spring I made a more concerted effort to just go and it built my confidence to continue.
Q: Having played with the major league team in spring training in front of bigger crowds and a TV audience, what did you learn there? How did you learn to deal with all the noise out there? Was there any particular player that provided good advice or took you under his wing?
Ewing: I think it is impossible to block out all the noise – you are always going to hear a little bit of it. Honestly, though you just have to show up every day and play like you always have. I like to talk to everyone there. There are a lot of great personalities on the big-league team and I was able to get a little good information from everyone.
Q: You are a very versatile player who has played both outfield and infield positions. Is there any position the organization is asking you to focus on this year?
Ewing: I’m just going to continue to try to be the best player I can be. I will continue playing both infield and outfield this year.
I have spoken to many prospects over the years and they all possess a level of poise and self-confidence in their abilities that has led them to this level of performance. What I see in AJ Ewing that sets him apart is this sense of competitiveness. He wants to be in the heat of the game. He strikes me as the guy who wants the bat in his hands with two outs in the bottom of the last inning or the guy who wants the ball hit to him when the game is on the line. That could be the trait that makes him something special.
13 comments:
It's absurd that he's not starting the year in Syracuse. Expect him to be called up by mid year to the show.
I found this very illuminating. It's great to learn about the players as they go through their development. I wonder if the organization is going to use him at 2nd base at all this year, since Semien is reinforcing the idea that his decline is accelerating on the offensive end. Also, in the 11th inning of yesterday's game, though Benge probably should have made the play, it is also true that a faster, more atheletic second baseman would have reached the ball.
If Robert has a good year in CF, the Mets will pick up the option and Ewing is most likely to make the team as a 2B who can also play the outfield.
Ewing and Benge are good buddies. They really want to play together in Queens.
AJ is a special talent. I am, however, puzzled when I see guys saying they want to get in shape and get stronger. They should already be there. Absolute max performance and max conditioning and max strength.
I’d rather have Ewing in AAA. I postulated last year that if you took an entire AA team into the majors directly, they’d like hit .115. A AAA team? .180. He won’t get ready in AA, as he almost undoubtedly is too good for AA pitching.
No one has picked up Jesse Winker. He did not play spring ball. Wonder if he is physically able, or just too beaten up to sign to a minor league deal?
Very early on, but Nick Morabito has a .375 OBP in Syracuse.
I have a new hitter stat for us: strikeout %.
Clifford has fanned in 55% of his 20 plate appearances so far.
Including spring training, Clifford is 6 for 39, 4 walks, 18 Ks, 1 HR.
New spelling: Klifford
Ha! Sadly true. SO MANY called strikes….has something to do with it.
Can AJ Ewing or Ronny Mauricio be far off from displacing "very old looking" Marcus Semien @ 2B?
By June, there'll be a diiferent 2nd baseman manning 2B. You can only give up so much offense to improve defense. Yes, I know it's only 6 games, but Semien has not had one barrel as yet!
I don't see Mauricio at 2B, and this is his last minor league option as well. I do think Ewing is a real possibility, also because he gives them a small ball player which is necessary if you are going to put pressure on the opponent.
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