Mets Minors Recap: Carson Benge Tallies Three Hits

In unlikely fashion, the 45-83 St Lucie Mets were the only affiliate to secure a win on Saturday. 2024 first-round pick Carson Benge led the way with three hits, two for extra bases, and a walk. Through 51 professional at-bats, Benge has a .909 OPS and a .294 batting average.

Dom Hamel. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Triple-A

Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (78-57) 19, Syracuse Mets (72-63) 0

BOX SCORE

CF Drew Gilbert: 1-for-4, K (.666 OPS)
LF Luke Ritter: 1-for-3, 2B, BB, K (.882 OPS)

There are no positives to take away from Syracuse’s 19-0 thrashing on Saturday against Scranton. The Mets are now 36-35 in the second half of the minor league season.

RHP Dom Hamel (7.22) 4.1 IP, 6 H, 9 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 4 HR allowed
RHP Trey McLoughlin (4.50): 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Tyler Zuber (4.81) 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

Hamel’s tough 2024 season continued on Saturday. He allowed nine earned runs and four home runs, his second-straight start with six-plus earned runs allowed.

Ryan Clifford. Photo by Bronson Harris of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies

Double-A

Binghamton Rumble Ponies (64-65) 1, Somerset Patriots (70-60) 4

BOX SCORE

1B Ryan Clifford: 1-for-3, R, HR (16), RBI, BB (.802 OPS)
DH Jett Williams: 2-for-4, K (.528 OPS)

The Ponies’ offense didn’t have much cooking again on Saturday. Similarly to Friday night, their only runs came off a home run, this time from Ryan Clifford. It was Clifford’s first homer in 12 games and first extra-base hit of the month.

RHP Jordan Geber (3.65) 4 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
RHP Nolan Clenney (5.40) 3 IP, 0 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Cam Robinson (3.29 ERA) 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K

Cam Robinson has had a quietly great season in Double-A. He has not allowed an earned run since August 14, and on Saturday, he posted his best strikeout performance of the year.

Boston Baro. Photo by Ed Delaney of MMO

High-A

Wilmington Blue Rocks (57-74) 7, Brooklyn Cyclones (64-67) 3

BOX SCORE

C Christopher Suero: 1-for-3, R, HR (7), 2 RBI, BB, K, SB (15) (.712 OPS)
2B Boston Baro: 2-for-5, R, 2B, 2 K (.393 OPS)
LF Jefrey De Los Santos : 1-for-4, RBI (.604 OPS)

Christopher Suero is a unique prospect in High-A Brooklyn. His versatility in the field (he has played catcher and both corner outfield spots), his raw power, and his age makes him someone to watch in his age-21 season next year.

LHP Felipe De La Cruz (4.25) 5 IP, 7 H, R R (2 ER), 1 BB, 8 K
RHP Dakota Hawkins (4.30) 2 IP, 1 H, 2 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 2 K
RHP Jawilme Ramirez (3.86 ERA) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

De La Cruz has not put it all together this season despite showing signs of a being a great starting pitcher. While he has great strikeout stuff, he continues allow a lot of loud contact at the plate, leading to high hit totals in his starts.

Carson Benge. Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Low-A

Clearwater Threshers (63-63) 0, St. Lucie Mets (45-83) 6

BOX SCORE

CF Carson Benge: 3-for-4, R, 2 2B, RBI, BB, SB (3) (.909 OPS)
2B Nick Roselli 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, BB, K (.855 OPS
SS Marco Vargas: 0-for-3, 2 BB, K, 2 SB (13) (.620 OPS)

Benge has dominated the lowest minor-league level since debuting in August. In 51 at-bats, Benge has 15 hits; five for extra bases, 10 walks, and 14 strikeouts. The Mets 2024 first-round pick looks like a star in the making.