Mets prospect Carson Benge makes Opening Day roster: 'He earned it'

Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News on Mar 23, 2026

Published in Baseball

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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — It’s the time of the year when baseball is dominated by feel-good stories. The New York Mets are feeling especially good about their player development department as they break camp to begin the 2026 season, with 2024 first-round draft pick Carson Benge set to play right field Thursday at Citi Field when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day.

“It’s a moment he’ll never forget,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday at Clover Park. “It’s a big day for the organization. A kid that gets drafted in 2024 and two years later, here we are giving him the news that he’s going to be playing in the big leagues for us.”

Benge was the first draft pick made by the Mets’ current front office. Scouting director Kris Gross and president of baseball operations David Stearns took Benge with the 19th pick out of Oklahoma State. With Andy Green overseeing player development, the Mets had the two-way player shift his focus solely to the outfield. Benge was more than agreeable, knowing it could help him reach the big leagues faster than if he focused on pitching.

All of the work put into developing Benge and all his own work have paid off, with Benge saying he felt “joy over everything” when Mendoza informed him he would be the Mets’ Opening Day right fielder.

“Just knowing that I worked hard for it, countless hours I spent, and all my family members and friends that have sacrificed some time for me, knowing that it’s all going to come true,” Benge said. “It’s been my dream since I was little. It’s pretty cool.”

Coming into the offseason last fall, the Mets were already imagining what the team would look like with Benge’s left-handed bat in the lineup and his powerful right arm in the outfield. The club was open about giving him a chance to compete for a roster spot out of spring training, and they believe he put in the work necessary to deserve the promotion.

“He earned it,” Mendoza said. “He had a hell of a camp, and we are all excited to watch this kid play.”

It all set up perfectly for Benge. Juan Soto decided to move from right field to left, allowing Benge to play the outfield position he played in college. Although the Mets have had him play a fair amount of center field in the minor leagues, he’s most comfortable in right field. He’s seen the most improvements in the outfield over the last year, and with his former minor league manager Gilbert Gomez now working with the Major League team, it’s a perfect way to ease the transition to a higher level of play.

“My defense has taken strides working out there with Gilbert Gomez. He was my manager last year in Double A,” Benge said. “Across the board, I feel like I’ve gotten better in every aspect of the game.”

The Mets see a mentally tough player ready to be challenged in the big leagues.

“A lot goes into it, physically, mentally, learning how to play the game from every area, offensively, defensively, pace, running,” Mendoza said. “I think handling adversity is huge, and that’s something that we are all proud of here as an organization, with Andy Green leading the way in player development. Nothing’s going to be given to you regardless of who you are. You’ve got to earn. We saw it, not only with Carson, or with [right-hander Nolan McLean] last year, or with Jonah [Tong], but with some of the players that were here in big league camp this year.

“The way they went about their business, and that just the toughness that they are creating there, they’ve all got the tools. They’ve all got a chance.”

The team has yet to decide on the last bench spot, but it’s down to either utility infielder Vidal Brujan or first baseman/outfielder Jared Young. They’re also considering left-handers Bryan Hudson and Richard Lovelady in the bullpen. All four will travel north with the Mets. Final roster decisions are expected Wednesday when the Mets work out at Citi Field.

Benge’s first phone call was to his parents after the Mets wrapped up an intrasquad scrimmage. The waiting game hasn’t been particularly difficult for him this week, but he’s happy to know where he’s starting the season. It will be his second-ever trip to New York City.

Welcome to the bigs, kid.

“I’ve always thought about it since I was a little kid,” he said. “Thinking about that moment, on the big stage for the first time, it’s going to be surreal. I’m going to try my best to take it in, but stay calm and play my game.”

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