SNY contributor Joe DeMayo answers fan questions in this edition of the Mets Minor League Mailbag…
Is Carson Benge a legitimate center fielder? That looks to be the only outfield spot available for a while – @MrFloridaDobbie
I recently wrote about the impact signing Juan Soto would have on the Mets prospects. Benge may not be on the precipice of the big leagues since he’s a 2024 first round pick, but he has a chance to be a quick riser.
After the 2024 MLB Draft, Mets vice president of amateur scouting Kris Gross told SNY on The Mets Pod that they intend to send Benge out as a center fielder to begin his professional career despite spending most of his time at Oklahoma State in right field.
Leading up to the draft, in talking to scouts about Benge, most believed his future in pro ball was in right field. He is an average athlete who possesses a true plus throwing arm. He won the John Olerud Award for the best two-way player in college baseball in 2024, reaching up to 96 mph off the mound. The Mets will be utilizing Benge exclusively as a hitter.
In drafting Benge, the Mets were buying an advanced hitter who has above average bat-to-ball skills, raw power, and plate discipline. His center field defense will be something that I will be keeping a close eye on as he embarks on his first full professional season, likely starting with High-A Brooklyn.
I would not rule out center field being his long-term home, but leading up to the draft that was not something that I heard scouts believed would be the most likely outcome.
Who do you think is the prospect most likely to get playing time at second base on the big league roster this season – @BaseballAF2
I will get into some of those options, but let’s not forget that Jeff McNeil is still here. And prior to getting injured in early September, he had a .276/.347/.526 slash line in July and August. He currently is the starter and should be entering spring training as the likely starter at second base.
With that said, if McNeil gets off to a slow start again, the Mets have some young options who can step in and play. The most likely option would be Luisangel Acuña, who despite an up-and-down Triple-A season seemed to shine when the lights were brightest — both literally and figuratively — at the major league level.
He stepped up when the Mets needed him in September, and he proceeded to have a strong offseason in the Venezuelan Winter League, where he posted a .914 OPS with three home runs and 18 stolen bases in 32 games.
Defensively he could make an exciting double play partner for Francisco Lindor.
To me, the wild card of the 2025 Mets is what they have in Ronny Mauricio. He has not played baseball since tearing his ACL last December in winter ball.
In his brief 21-game big league stint in 2023, Mauricio played second base, third base, and shortstop. While not being the prototypical build of a second baseman, he surprised some with his comfort there in that small sample size.
Coming off the ACL injury, it will be important to see how his athleticism and lateral quickness bounces back. Mauricio is likely to impact the Mets in 2025, and second base is one of the options for him.
The least likely, but not impossible would be SNY’s No. 1 prospect Jett Williams. He missed all but 33 games last season due to wrist surgery. He had a six-game cameo with Triple-A Syracuse at the end of the season, but I’d expect as of now for him to start back with Double-A Binghamton in 2025.
Williams can play all three up-the-middle positions, but second base is something he has very limited exposure to professionally. He is a plus athlete with good lateral quickness, leading evaluators to believe second base is likely to be his best long-term home.
While a 2025 big league promotion is possible for Williams, he would likely have to jump a few players on the depth chart to be a second base option this coming season.
Read the full article here
