Mets Outfield Prospect Benge Impresses in Spring Training

But Opening Day roster spot not yet guaranteed, says Mets president Stearns

Mar. 9, 2026 at 7:22pm

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Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns praised the spring training performance of top outfield prospect Carson Benge, but said no decision has been made on whether Benge will make the team's Opening Day roster. Stearns noted that Benge is having a 'nice camp' and is expected to contribute to the team this year, but the final roster decision is still pending.

Why it matters

The Mets' outfield situation is an important storyline to follow as the team prepares for the upcoming season. Benge is considered a top prospect in the organization, and his potential inclusion on the Opening Day roster could have significant implications for the team's lineup and outfield depth.

The details

Benge, who spent last season playing at three different minor league levels, is batting .350 with three runs scored and a stolen base in Grapefruit League play this spring. Stearns said the team has been pleased with Benge's performance and development, but a final decision has not been made on whether he will break camp with the big-league club.

  • Benge played 116 games across Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A in 2025, slashing .281/.385/.472 with 15 home runs, 73 RBI, and 22 stolen bases.
  • In Grapefruit League play this spring, Benge is 7-for-20 (.350) with three runs scored and a stolen base.

The players

Carson Benge

A top outfield prospect in the Mets' minor league system who is making a strong case for a spot on the team's Opening Day roster.

David Stearns

The Mets' president of baseball operations, who has been impressed with Benge's spring training performance but has not yet made a decision on his roster status.

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What they’re saying

“I think Carson is having a nice camp. He's worked very hard… We've seen what we would've expected. He's taken competitive at-bats, he's a tough out, I think he's played a nice right field. He's done what we've expected him to do. I think he's going to be a really good player, and we're going to have a difficult decision as we get toward the end of camp.”

— David Stearns, Mets President of Baseball Operations

“I expect him to contribute to our team this year. There's no question about that. The way he's developed throughout his professional career indicates that he's reaching that level. Whether that's on Opening Day or not, I don't know.”

— David Stearns, Mets President of Baseball Operations

What’s next

The Mets will continue to evaluate Benge's performance in the final weeks of spring training before making a decision on his roster status for Opening Day.

The takeaway

The Mets' outfield situation remains fluid, with top prospect Carson Benge making a strong case for a roster spot with his impressive spring training performance. However, the team's final decision on Benge's role to start the season has not yet been determined, highlighting the competitive nature of the Mets' roster battles this spring.