Carson Benge will be in right field when the Mets begin their season on Thursday.
Carlos Mendoza told reporters on Monday that the team’s hyped outfield prospect has earned a spot on the Opening Day roster and will be the starting right fielder when New York opens its season against the Pirates at Citi Field.
Benge certainly made a strong case to earn the job in spring training, batting .366 with and .435 on-base percentage. With Juan Soto shifting to left field and Mike Tauchman undergoing meniscus surgery, the door was open for Benge to get the nod, and he will indeed be the team’s right fielder and making his big-league debut.
Benge, 23, beat out the likes of Tyrone Tracy and Brett Baty for the job. He was the Mets’ 19th overall pick in the 2024 amateur draft. He hit .281 with 15 homes runs in 519 plate appearances across High A Brooklyn, Double-A Binghamton, and Triple-A Syracuse.