When Juan Soto was asked after the regular season finale why Mets fans should be confident the team can turn things around next year he said “Carson Benge.”
MLB Pipeline named the 23-year-old outfielder to its All-Rookie Team late Tuesday, with A.J. Ewing and Nolan McLean earning Second Team honors.
Benge started slow, he was slashing .179/.235/.263 on May 2, but the Mets let their 2024 first-round pick ride it out and he showed that their faith was warranted. A five-game hitting streak started the next day and he was off. He finished the year hitting .282/.346/.430 with 20 homers and 22 stolen bases.
He is the first Met rookie with a 20-20 season and 18th in MLB history, joining a club that includes Tommie Agee, Carlos Beltrán, Bobby Witt Jr. and Mike Trout. He is a Rookie of the Year candidate.
Carson Benge by Roberto Carlo
A pitcher in college, he showed a great arm, too, leading the league with assists from right field with 10. SNY broadcaster Ron Darling said during the season that his throws reminded him of Dwight Evans, a Red Sox right-fielder known for his arm who won eight Gold Gloves.
Ewing wasn’t in the Mets’ original 2026 plans, but an injury to Luis Robert Jr. opened the door and he was called up on May 12. The 22-year-old hit .252/.324/.376 with 11 homers and 25 stolen bases. It seems like the Mets have two-thirds of their outfield set for awhile.
McLean debuted with eight strong starts in 2025, but maintained rookie status this season and delivered again. He went 12-10 with a 3.16 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He struck out 194 and walked 70 in 179 2/3 innings. The strikeouts and innings pitched totals both ranked 14th in baseball.
McLean was the first Met rookie to start 31 games since Jae Weong Seo in 2003. Before that, it was Darling and Dwight Gooden in 1984.
To see the full All-Rookie teams, click here. Selections were based on 2026 MLB performance, not future projections.
