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ATLANTA — When A.J. Ewing's name was penciled atop the Mets' lineup the first time on Friday, the message from interim manager Andy Green was simple: this is where you belong.
Throughout Ewing's professional career, which began when he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft, the 21-year-old has felt at home in the leadoff spot.
Friday's lineup card against the Braves was the latest confirmation of the coaching staff's confidence in Ewing's rampant rise.
"I feel like naturally over a course of my at-bats, I see a lot of pitches, and I think I kind of have a knack for getting on base," Ewing told NorthJersey.com. "Even when I’m not swinging it particularly well, I think I still have a knack for being able to get on first base a lot. I think that’s important to have at the top of the lineup."
With the decision against the right-handed Grant Holmes, Green slid Carson Benge, who had spent 50 games in the Mets' leadoff spot, into a bigger run-producing spot behind Francisco Lindor and in the No. 5 spot.
"I always want to reserve the right to reverse course but certainly believe that when it comes to A.J.’s skillset, it’s more of a very top-of-the-order type skillset and then in Carson’s case, it’s a middle-of-the-order type bat," Green said.
Since debuting on May 12, the left-handed-hitting Ewing has not wavered with the bat in his hand. Entering Sunday afternoon, Ewing was slashing .259/.342/.389 with four home runs, 19 runs and 19 RBI in 49 games. The production was particularly noticeable against right-handers where he has posted a .372 on-base percentage.
Ewing has been unfazed by matchups against some of the top arms in MLB, providing one of the team's four hits against Zack Wheeler last week and popping two home runs last homestand. He slashed .300/.379/.478 in June.
"Honestly, when I’m in the box, I try to take names out of it and just treat them as any other pitcher," Ewing said.
For now, Ewing will likely be plugged into the top spot against right-handers, while sitting idle or landing lower in the lineup against left-handers as he did against Chris Sale when he pinch-hit or batted seventh against Martin Perez this weekend.
He added some confidence on Sunday afternoon as he collected two hits off Braves lefties, including a solo shot off Martin Perez that jump-started a four-run second inning.
"I do think we’d love to give him some time to adjust to that spot," Green said. "He doesn’t complicate life too much. He’s just going to step up and have his at-bat and his at-bat profiles really nicely in that spot."
One area where Ewing has not had the same immediate translation to his minor league success has been on the basepads.
While Ewing was 17-of-18 on his stolen base attempts in the minor leagues before his call-up, he is only 8-for-14 early on in his major league career.
"I don’t think he’s sitting over there second-guessing himself non-stop but he hasn’t found rhythm here recently and I think he is going to in the long run," Green said. "He’s going to find that rhythm, he’s going to steal bases, that will be a part of his profile in his game. Certainly we’re going to give him opportunities to do that."
Don't expect the early struggles to dissuade Ewing from continuing to be aggressive on the bases. After all, he is one of the fastest players in MLB through the early portion of his career. His 29.7 feet per second sprint speed is in the top 3 percent of the league.
"I’ve had stretches where I get thrown out. It happens," Ewing said. "Sometimes you got to tip your cap. Sometimes the catcher makes a good throw and good transfers. I haven’t lost any confidence in being able to steal second base."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: A.J. Ewing revels in opportunity to take leadoff spot for Mets
Continue reading...
Throughout Ewing's professional career, which began when he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft, the 21-year-old has felt at home in the leadoff spot.
Friday's lineup card against the Braves was the latest confirmation of the coaching staff's confidence in Ewing's rampant rise.
"I feel like naturally over a course of my at-bats, I see a lot of pitches, and I think I kind of have a knack for getting on base," Ewing told NorthJersey.com. "Even when I’m not swinging it particularly well, I think I still have a knack for being able to get on first base a lot. I think that’s important to have at the top of the lineup."
With the decision against the right-handed Grant Holmes, Green slid Carson Benge, who had spent 50 games in the Mets' leadoff spot, into a bigger run-producing spot behind Francisco Lindor and in the No. 5 spot.
"I always want to reserve the right to reverse course but certainly believe that when it comes to A.J.’s skillset, it’s more of a very top-of-the-order type skillset and then in Carson’s case, it’s a middle-of-the-order type bat," Green said.
How does A.J. Ewing fit in the leadoff spot?
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Since debuting on May 12, the left-handed-hitting Ewing has not wavered with the bat in his hand. Entering Sunday afternoon, Ewing was slashing .259/.342/.389 with four home runs, 19 runs and 19 RBI in 49 games. The production was particularly noticeable against right-handers where he has posted a .372 on-base percentage.
Ewing has been unfazed by matchups against some of the top arms in MLB, providing one of the team's four hits against Zack Wheeler last week and popping two home runs last homestand. He slashed .300/.379/.478 in June.
"Honestly, when I’m in the box, I try to take names out of it and just treat them as any other pitcher," Ewing said.
For now, Ewing will likely be plugged into the top spot against right-handers, while sitting idle or landing lower in the lineup against left-handers as he did against Chris Sale when he pinch-hit or batted seventh against Martin Perez this weekend.
He added some confidence on Sunday afternoon as he collected two hits off Braves lefties, including a solo shot off Martin Perez that jump-started a four-run second inning.
"I do think we’d love to give him some time to adjust to that spot," Green said. "He doesn’t complicate life too much. He’s just going to step up and have his at-bat and his at-bat profiles really nicely in that spot."
Speed trap? A.J. Ewing still confident stealing bases
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One area where Ewing has not had the same immediate translation to his minor league success has been on the basepads.
While Ewing was 17-of-18 on his stolen base attempts in the minor leagues before his call-up, he is only 8-for-14 early on in his major league career.
"I don’t think he’s sitting over there second-guessing himself non-stop but he hasn’t found rhythm here recently and I think he is going to in the long run," Green said. "He’s going to find that rhythm, he’s going to steal bases, that will be a part of his profile in his game. Certainly we’re going to give him opportunities to do that."
Don't expect the early struggles to dissuade Ewing from continuing to be aggressive on the bases. After all, he is one of the fastest players in MLB through the early portion of his career. His 29.7 feet per second sprint speed is in the top 3 percent of the league.
"I’ve had stretches where I get thrown out. It happens," Ewing said. "Sometimes you got to tip your cap. Sometimes the catcher makes a good throw and good transfers. I haven’t lost any confidence in being able to steal second base."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: A.J. Ewing revels in opportunity to take leadoff spot for Mets
Continue reading...
