Carson Benge was the second-ranked prospect within the New York Mets group when he was referred to as as much as play outfield on Opening Day. The Top 25 general prospect has held the place ever since, and the Mets are hoping he holds it for a really very long time.
From an offensive perspective, nevertheless, issues haven’t been as easy. Through 15 video games, Benge is simply 7-of-49 from the plate (.143) with twice as many strikeouts as hits.
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Benge is offered in over 90% of ESPN Fantasy Baseball Leagues. If he performs to his potential, he may very well be a serious increase to a lineup down the stretch.
So the query: are these struggles a blip as Benge figures out major-league pitching, or are there bigger considerations in play?
So Far, Not Great for Carson Benge
At simply 23 years outdated, Benge burst onto the 2026 fantasy scene because the Mets’ Opening Day proper fielder, turning heads with a powerful spring that earned him a roster spot and fast taking part in time in a crowded however injury-prone Mets outfield.
Related: Should We Be Worried About Fernando Tatis Jr.?
Prior to this spring, the 2024 first-round select of Oklahoma State was already delivering flashes of the well-rounded instruments that made him certainly one of baseball’s premier prospects.
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But there was an asterisk with the success. Benge performed minor-league ball at three totally different ranges in 2025. For High-A Brooklyn, Benge batted .302 with a .897 OPS in 60 video games. He performed 32 video games for AA Binghampton and batted .317 with a strong .978 OPS.
Then he moved to AAA Syracuse, and fortunes turned. In 24 video games, he hit simply .178 and a .583 OPS.
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Benge appeared to have found out high-level pitching within the low season. He hit over .350 in spring coaching with an on-base share nearer to .450. He seemed able to make the largest transfer of all.
But his time in The Show has been bumpy.
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The Case for Adding Carson Benge
The struggles aren’t atypical. Some hyped rookies had points within the spring however bounced again rapidly.
In 2023, Gunnar Henderson was hitting .201 by May with 5 house runs. In June, one thing clicked. He batted .320 that month, hit at the very least 5 homers in each month from there on out and gained AL Rookie of the Year.
Alex Bregman famously began his rookie 12 months 1-of-32, however ended up batting .284.
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Original projections for a full rookie season pointed to a median of .265, with 15-18 HR, 70-80 RBI, 75-85 runs, and 18-22 steals over 130-145 video games. Those totals have now gone down. But apart from common, they’re not approach down.
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Benge has been batting seventh or ninth within the Mets order, low sufficient that ought to enable him to proceed enhancing and gaining expertise by the tested-and-true, trail-by-fire methodology.
Regardless of how lengthy it takes his bat to get going, sturdiness appears to be like stable and his plus arm and athleticism give him defensive versatility throughout all three outfield spots. He ought to preserve taking part in.
Beyond this 12 months, his long-term outlook is superb as a part of a younger, gifted core. A powerful rookie marketing campaign may speed up his rise right into a perennial 20/20 menace with a .270+ common.
Benge is the perfect “sleeper with upside” decide: purchase the instruments, belief the spring efficiency and pedigree, and experience the tough seas now as he matures right into a fantasy anchor for years to come back – if not later this summer time.
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Related: Four Players On The 30/30 Radar for 2027
This story was initially printed by Lindys Sports on Apr 15, 2026, the place it first appeared within the Fantasy part. Add Lindys Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
