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May 28—NEW YORK — In just three years, AJ Ewing went from Springboro High School and the Greater Western Ohio Conference to the bright lights in New York city as a key contributor on the New York Mets.
Ewing has one of the more impressive development stories in this year's rookie class. He was drafted out of high school in the fourth round. And already, he's a regular presence in the Mets' lineup.
"I love it," Ewing said. "I love the big stage. I love how into the fans are here. I love the bright lights that New York brings."
At Springboro, Ewing hit .464 and was ranked as the No. 57 prospect in his high school class. He was committed to play at Alabama, but plans changed when the Mets drafted him. He signed with the team during the summer and played in a few Rookie Ball games during that season.
His 2024 minor league season was up and down. He spent most of the season in Low-A, where Ewing hit .233 with 109 strikeouts in 313 at-bats. Then in 2025, he made a big leap.
Ewing opened the 2025 season back in Low-A, but he was in High-A by the end of April. At that level, he made a huge step by getting on base more often and using his speed much more often. He posted a .387 on-base-percentage with 44 steals in 78 games, and then he was called up to Double-A to finish the season.
It was a rapid rise, and he kept on climbing in 2026. Ewing opened this year in Double-A, and he was ranked as the No. 4 prospect in New York's system. By May 12, he was already in the big leagues.
The 21-year-old Ewing has gone from Springboro to the big leagues in fewer than 36 months.
"I like New York a lot," Ewing said. "I love it back home. I like them both."
A reeling Mets team has looked to Ewing to pick up an inconsistent offense that has gone through some tough stretches this season. Ewing has hit well enough to make starts in the middle of the order, and to start even when the Mets are facing left-handed pitching (Ewing bats left-handed).
He has made an immediate impact in New York. In 52 at-bats through games played on Wednesday, May 27, he's hitting .250 with
"We're focused on winning games here," Ewing said.
Seeing the Reds gave Ewing a chance to remember all of the games he watched as a kid. He grew up as a fan of Cincinnati's team.
"Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Zack Cozart, I loved watching those guys play," Ewing said. "That was my team."
He said that he liked Phillips' flare, and he liked the intensity that Votto had in the batter's box.
Now, Ewing gets to study every at-bat from Juan Soto, who's known as the most polished hitter of this era.
"Soto is a great guy to look up to," Ewing said. "He brings it every time he gets in the box."
In his short time in the big leagues, Ewing is working a ton of walks and showing an advanced knowledge of the strike zone for a young player. While he's still striking out at a high rate, he's making up for that with a lot of hard contact. He also brings very important versatility with his ability to play both the outfield and the infield.
The Mets are missing five position players on the injured list, and Soto has also missed some time this season. The injuries opened up a chance for Ewing to make an impact, and he's making the most of it.
Ewing, listed at 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, has already swung several games in the Mets' favor. He tripled and drove in two runs in his big league debut, homered in a Mets win a couple of days later and notched two hits in a 12-inning win in the middle of May. He's also showcasing elite sprint speed.
As he makes a name for himself in the big leagues, Ewing said that he's taking pride in representing Springboro.
"It's been really cool," Ewing said. "A lot of friends from growing up and my family have been reaching out. It's really cool. It means the world."
Continue reading...
Ewing has one of the more impressive development stories in this year's rookie class. He was drafted out of high school in the fourth round. And already, he's a regular presence in the Mets' lineup.
"I love it," Ewing said. "I love the big stage. I love how into the fans are here. I love the bright lights that New York brings."
At Springboro, Ewing hit .464 and was ranked as the No. 57 prospect in his high school class. He was committed to play at Alabama, but plans changed when the Mets drafted him. He signed with the team during the summer and played in a few Rookie Ball games during that season.
His 2024 minor league season was up and down. He spent most of the season in Low-A, where Ewing hit .233 with 109 strikeouts in 313 at-bats. Then in 2025, he made a big leap.
Ewing opened the 2025 season back in Low-A, but he was in High-A by the end of April. At that level, he made a huge step by getting on base more often and using his speed much more often. He posted a .387 on-base-percentage with 44 steals in 78 games, and then he was called up to Double-A to finish the season.
It was a rapid rise, and he kept on climbing in 2026. Ewing opened this year in Double-A, and he was ranked as the No. 4 prospect in New York's system. By May 12, he was already in the big leagues.
The 21-year-old Ewing has gone from Springboro to the big leagues in fewer than 36 months.
"I like New York a lot," Ewing said. "I love it back home. I like them both."
A reeling Mets team has looked to Ewing to pick up an inconsistent offense that has gone through some tough stretches this season. Ewing has hit well enough to make starts in the middle of the order, and to start even when the Mets are facing left-handed pitching (Ewing bats left-handed).
He has made an immediate impact in New York. In 52 at-bats through games played on Wednesday, May 27, he's hitting .250 with
"We're focused on winning games here," Ewing said.
Seeing the Reds gave Ewing a chance to remember all of the games he watched as a kid. He grew up as a fan of Cincinnati's team.
"Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Zack Cozart, I loved watching those guys play," Ewing said. "That was my team."
He said that he liked Phillips' flare, and he liked the intensity that Votto had in the batter's box.
Now, Ewing gets to study every at-bat from Juan Soto, who's known as the most polished hitter of this era.
"Soto is a great guy to look up to," Ewing said. "He brings it every time he gets in the box."
In his short time in the big leagues, Ewing is working a ton of walks and showing an advanced knowledge of the strike zone for a young player. While he's still striking out at a high rate, he's making up for that with a lot of hard contact. He also brings very important versatility with his ability to play both the outfield and the infield.
The Mets are missing five position players on the injured list, and Soto has also missed some time this season. The injuries opened up a chance for Ewing to make an impact, and he's making the most of it.
Ewing, listed at 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, has already swung several games in the Mets' favor. He tripled and drove in two runs in his big league debut, homered in a Mets win a couple of days later and notched two hits in a 12-inning win in the middle of May. He's also showcasing elite sprint speed.
As he makes a name for himself in the big leagues, Ewing said that he's taking pride in representing Springboro.
"It's been really cool," Ewing said. "A lot of friends from growing up and my family have been reaching out. It's really cool. It means the world."
Continue reading...
