Mets' No. 2 Prospect Benge Eyeing Opening Day Roster Spot

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns says Benge will get a chance to make the team this spring.

Feb. 11, 2026 at 9:15am

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Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns says the organization's No. 2 prospect, Carson Benge, will come to spring training with a chance to make the Opening Day roster in 2026. Benge, who played primarily in left field last season, will now get a look in right field after the team decided to swap corner outfield positions with Juan Soto. Stearns says they're confident in Benge's ability to handle right field, where he has played extensively in the minors.

Why it matters

The Mets are looking to get younger and more athletic in the outfield, and Benge's development could play a key role in their plans. As one of the organization's top prospects, his ability to make the big-league roster out of spring training would be a significant boost for the team.

The details

Benge shot up the Mets' minor-league rankings last season, ending the year at Triple-A Syracuse. In 116 games across three levels, he slashed .281/.385/.472 with 15 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases. While he played primarily in left field in 2025, the Mets have decided to move him to right field, where he has experience from his time in college at Oklahoma State. Stearns says the team is confident in Benge's ability to handle the position at the big-league level.

  • Benge will come to spring training in Port St. Lucie, Florida with a chance to make the Mets' Opening Day roster in 2026.

The players

David Stearns

The Mets' president of baseball operations, who has expressed confidence in Benge's ability to make the team this spring.

Carson Benge

The Mets' No. 2 prospect, who is expected to get a chance to make the Opening Day roster in 2026 after a strong 2025 season in the minors.

Juan Soto

The Mets outfielder who will be swapping corner outfield positions with Benge.

Brett Baty

A Mets prospect who will also have an opportunity to earn playing time in right field, as well as other infield positions.

Tyrone Taylor

A Mets outfielder who will be the first defensive choice off the bench for all three outfield positions.

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What they’re saying

“We've been consistent throughout the offseason that Carson is going to come to camp with a chance to make our team. That remains the same.”

— David Stearns, Mets president of baseball operations

“He's played a lot of right field during his time in the minor leagues. We're confident with him out there.”

— David Stearns, Mets president of baseball operations

“I think evaluations in spring are always a bit fraught, and we know that. We want to see quality at-bats, we want to see him handle the outfield. It's also going to depend on what some other guys do, right? It's not all going to be dependent on how Carson looks. We're not going to get too preoccupied with surface line results one way or another, and we'll make the best decision that we can on Opening Day.”

— David Stearns, Mets president of baseball operations

What’s next

The Mets will evaluate Benge's performance in spring training as they make their final roster decisions for Opening Day 2026.

The takeaway

The Mets are committed to giving their top prospect, Carson Benge, a real opportunity to make the big-league roster this spring. His development could be a key factor in the team's plans to get younger and more athletic in the outfield.