No. 3: Carson Benge, OF
B/T: L/R Age: 22
Ht: 6’1″ Wt: 185 lb
ETA: 2027 2024 Rank: N/A
Acquired: 2024 1st Round Draft Selection
The Mets made Carson Benge the 19th overall selection in the 2024 Amateur Draft last July, selecting him out of Oklahoma State. Benge was a two-way player in college, winning the John Olerud award for the nation’s best two-way player. He gave up pitching once he became a member of the Mets to focus on his offensive game.
Prior to his professional career, Benge attended Yukon High School in Yukon, Oklahoma, where he showcased his two-way abilities as both a pitcher and a hitter. In his senior year, he posted an impressive 8–1 record on the mound with 124 strikeouts and hit .490. Despite his high school success, he went unselected in the 2021 MLB Draft and chose to enroll at Oklahoma State University in the Big 12 Conference.
Benge’s collegiate career at Oklahoma State did not get off to the easiest of starts. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022, he redshirted his freshman season and returned to action in 2023, seemingly healthy for the first time as a Cowboy. That season, he appeared in 59 games, primarily as a right fielder, and posted a 1.006 OPS with seven home runs and 43 RBIs. He struggled on the mound, however, recording a 6.69 ERA over 35 innings. In 2024, Benge’s performance escalated; he played in 61 games, slugging 18 home runs and 64 RBIs with a 1.106 OPS. On the mound, he maintained a 3.16 ERA over 37 innings in what would be his final season as a pitcher.
Many saw Benge as a true two-way prospect in the draft, but there were serious questions about which direction he would go as a prospect, and how teams viewed him. Ultimately, he and the Mets decided to go down the path of offense.
Following his selection by the Mets, Benge signed with the organization on July 23, 2024, for $4 million. He told reporters the night of the draft that he chose to focus exclusively on his offensive and outfield role, moving away from his two-way player status. Despite this, his experience and work as a pitcher gives him an incredibly strong outfield arm that could keep him in right field longterm.
In his professional debut with the St. Lucie Mets in the Florida State League, Benge appeared in 15 games, putting up a .273/.420/.436 slash line with two home runs and three stolen bases. His performance demonstrated his potential as a well-rounded player with both offensive and defensive capabilities.
Offensively, he is known for his solid power, which was on display throughout his collegiate career, particularly in his final season where he hit 18 home runs. His ability to drive the ball to all fields is a key strength, and he pairs that with a disciplined approach at the plate, as evidenced by his solid on-base percentage and strong walk rates. Defensively, Benge’s athleticism and strong arm make him an asset in the outfield. His speed also gives him an edge in tracking down fly balls and contributing on the base paths. Benge’s ability to impact the game both offensively and defensively gives him a well-rounded profile. His combination of power, speed, and defensive tools all make him an exciting prospect with high upside in the Mets’ future plans.
Benge slots in at the top of the group of Mets’ outfield prospects, above the likes of Drew Gilbert, Nick Morabito, and others. Given his immediate success with St. Lucie and advanced offensive profile, Benge could fly through the Mets’ system this year. The team has not shied away from aggressive promotions with their college aged prospects, and Benge could be another example of the Mets doing just that. After 55 at bats in A-Ball, Benge could repeat St. Lucie to start the year, or a strong showing in camp could push him to Brooklyn to open 2025 play.
