The Untouchable Carson Benge

[Centerfield]

I like the kid a lot.  And I wouldn't be looking to move him either.  He's often cited as one of the bright spots of the 2026 season, and a cornerstone of future Mets teams.  Does his production warrant being untouchable?

Overall, he's had an ok season.  .712 OPS, 11 HR, 1.8 WAR.  The numbers don't jump out.  But a lot of that is marred by his terrible start (.525 OPS in March/April).

If you remove his terrible March/April, his OPS since is pretty good:

May:  .801 OPS
June:  .750 OPS
July:  .748 OPS

A guy who puts up a mid to upper 700s OPS and plays great defense is a pretty good asset to have.  

His lefty-righty splits are pretty close.  .717 OPS against RHP.  .697 vs. LHP.  Small sample size, but I think it's encouraging that his splits don't suggest he'll be a future platoon player.  Michael Conforto put up much better numbers as a rookie, but his splits gave some insight into his future (.872 vs. RHP, .481 vs. LHP).

He's stolen 16 bases, while only being caught twice.  So if his power develops, maybe he can be a 20/20 player.  One thing he doesn't do, is hit doubles.  Only 13 on the season, only 4 since June 1, and one of them was that bullshit throw behind him so he moved up play.  

I don't know.  I can't put my finger on it.  I'm high on AJ Ewing.  Less convinced about Benge.  Hopefully he proves me wrong the next two months.  

[Frayed Knot]

12 minutes ago, Centerfield said:

  Hopefully he proves me wrong the next two months.  

Or?

[MFS62]

His ceiling looks like a prime comforto (25-75-.285) but it could go higher- he’s still learning what he can do. 
later

[Centerfield]

42 minutes ago, Frayed Knot said:

Or?

Trade him. Obviously. 
 

Kidding aside, or nothing. If he finishes with a .712 OPS then he’s just a rookie with upside. If he manages to get his OPS to the high 700s then you feel good about him for next year. 

[Frayed Knot]

ML average for OPS this season is 721 at the moment so, even if 712 is more or less where he ends up, to get that from a first year player is something we shouldn't be treating as disappointing at all. Don't fall into the trap where prospects are either become superstars or they're busts.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Just for fun, you have to trade Benge or Ewing at the deadline. Return is the same, two good prospects and a shitty reliever. Who stays and who goes?

[duan]

I'm keeping Ewing first - I think. Being better in CF means the bat doesn't need to be as good to make an impact. 

[Edgy MD]

He's gonna get one of those sweet Topps All-Rookie Team cups on his card next year.

NL Rookie WAR Leaders

1) JJ Wetherholt, STL: 3.7
2) Nolan McLean, NYM: 2.6
T3) Foster Griffin, WSN: 2.0
T3) TJ Rumfield, COL: 2.0
T5) Shane Drohan, MIL: 1.9
T5) Esmerlyn Valdez, PIT: 1.9
T7) Joe Mack, MIA: 1.5
T7) Carson Benge, NYM: 1.5
T7) Sal Stewart, CIN: 1.5
8) Didier Fuentes, ATL: 1.3
9) A.J. Ewing, NYM: 1.3
10) Cole Carrigg, COL: 1.2

It would be a shame to see that cup appear on his card when he's got somebody else's hat on, even moreso since Pete Crow-Armstrong is looking like the leader in the MVP race (no matter how much Gary Cohen slobbers over Shohei Ohtani.

[The Hot Corner]

The thing that has impressed me this season regarding Benge has been his willingness and ability to make adjustments at the plate.  He has shortened his swing to better handle the velocity at the MLB level.  He isn't as open, which allows him to cover the outside corner better and lastly he is taking the pitches away to the opposite field far more.  That willingness to change and adapt should bode well for his future.   

[smg58]

I'm still pretty high on Benge, though I'm higher on Ewing.  He was thrown into the deep end before he was ready, and he adjusted and held his own. 

Our rookies were what went right this season.  I think you have to bet on them moving forward next year, regardless of how strongly they finish.