Mets Prospect Carson Benge Poised for Rare Chance to Earn Starting Role

First-round pick from 2024 draft could fill open outfield spot after offseason trades

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:55am

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The New York Mets have an open outfield spot after trading Brandon Nimmo and not re-signing Cedric Mullins this offseason. This could provide a rare opportunity for the organization's top position player prospect, 23-year-old Carson Benge, to win a starting job in spring training. Benge, the Mets' first-round pick in 2024, advanced through three minor league levels last year and impressed with a .281/.385/.472 slash line, 15 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases.

Why it matters

The Mets have historically struggled to develop their own first-round draft picks into everyday starters at the major league level. This chance for Benge represents a unique opportunity for the organization to potentially break that trend and give one of their top prospects a clear path to the big leagues.

The details

After trading outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for Marcus Semien and not re-signing Cedric Mullins, the Mets have two open outfield spots heading into spring training. This could open the door for Benge, the team's first-round pick in 2024 under new president of baseball operations David Stearns, to earn one of those starting jobs. Benge, 23, advanced through three minor league levels last season, reaching Triple-A Syracuse for the final 24 games, and produced a .281/.385/.472 slash line with 15 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases.

  • Benge was the Mets' first-round pick in the 2024 MLB draft.
  • In 2022, Benge advanced through three levels of the Mets' minor league system, reaching Triple-A Syracuse for the final 24 games of the season.

The players

Carson Benge

The Mets' top position player prospect, a 23-year-old outfielder who was the team's first-round pick in the 2024 MLB draft.

Brandon Nimmo

An outfielder who was traded by the Mets to the Texas Rangers this offseason in exchange for Marcus Semien.

Cedric Mullins

An outfielder who was not re-signed by the Mets this offseason, leaving an open spot in their outfield.

David Stearns

The Mets' president of baseball operations, who was hired in 2024 and oversaw the team drafting Carson Benge in his first draft.

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What they’re saying

“There could be a rare opportunity for a Mets first-round pick to win a starting job.”

— Mike Puma, Author

What’s next

Benge will have the chance to earn a starting outfield job for the Mets during spring training in 2023.

The takeaway

The Mets' decision to trade Brandon Nimmo and not re-sign Cedric Mullins this offseason has opened up a rare opportunity for the organization's top position player prospect, Carson Benge, to win a starting job in the big leagues. This represents a unique chance for the Mets to develop one of their own first-round draft picks into an everyday player at the major league level.