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Carson Benge, the New York Mets’ top position-player prospect, has made the Opening Day roster and will be the starting right fielder, the team announced Monday.
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Benge, 23, was the Mets’ 2024 first-round draft pick (No. 19 overall) out of Oklahoma State. He ascended through the minors last season, going from high-A to Triple-A. In spring training this year, Benge hit .366/.435/.439 in 41 at-bats. The left-handed hitter is expected to bat eighth in the Mets’ lineup.
“He earned it. He had a hell of a camp,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We are all excited to watch this kid play.”
Benge was ranked as the Mets’ top position-player prospect by MLB.com and The Athletic, second behind pitcher Nolan McLean (his college teammate), who will be part of the Mets’ starting rotation. Benge was also ranked among the top 20 prospects in baseball.
Juan Soto was the Mets’ right fielder last season, starting 157 games at the position. However, he was moved to left during spring training to accommodate Benge’s stronger throwing arm in right. (Soto played left field for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.)
Benge’s position became assured when Mike Tauchman — who also had a strong spring, with an .820 OPS and one home run — tore the meniscus in his left knee.
Another top MLB prospect will be in his team’s major-league lineup on Opening Day. Shortstop JJ Wetherholt has made the Cardinals’ big-league roster, president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom told reporters Monday.
Wetherholt, 23, was the Cardinals’ 2024 first-round draft pick (No. 7 overall) out of West Virginia. He was ranked as the Cardinals’ No. 1 prospect by MLB.com and The Athletic, and the No. 5 prospect in all of baseball.
“He’s gone about his business this entire camp like a big-leaguer goes about his business,” Bloom told reporters. “It’s not just what he does on the field, it’s how he does everything. He is very consistent, very professional.”
Splitting last season between Double-A and Triple-A , Wetherholt batted .306/.421/.510 with 28 doubles, 17 home runs, 59 RBI and 23 stolen bases. He will hit leadoff or second in the St. Louis lineup to begin the season.
Wetherholt’s spring wasn’t as impressive as Benge’s, with a .212/.386/.394 slash line, but he hit two homers with seven RBI in 33 at-bats.
Yet the Cardinals had a need at second base after trading All-Star Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners in a three-team deal also involving the Tampa Bay Rays. That’s where Wetherholt will play alongside shortstop Masyn Winn, who was credited with 21 Outs Above Average and two Defensive Runs Saved last season.
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Benge, 23, was the Mets’ 2024 first-round draft pick (No. 19 overall) out of Oklahoma State. He ascended through the minors last season, going from high-A to Triple-A. In spring training this year, Benge hit .366/.435/.439 in 41 at-bats. The left-handed hitter is expected to bat eighth in the Mets’ lineup.
“He earned it. He had a hell of a camp,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We are all excited to watch this kid play.”
Benge was ranked as the Mets’ top position-player prospect by MLB.com and The Athletic, second behind pitcher Nolan McLean (his college teammate), who will be part of the Mets’ starting rotation. Benge was also ranked among the top 20 prospects in baseball.
Juan Soto was the Mets’ right fielder last season, starting 157 games at the position. However, he was moved to left during spring training to accommodate Benge’s stronger throwing arm in right. (Soto played left field for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.)
Benge’s position became assured when Mike Tauchman — who also had a strong spring, with an .820 OPS and one home run — tore the meniscus in his left knee.
Cardinals top prospect JJ Wetherholt also makes Opening Day roster
Another top MLB prospect will be in his team’s major-league lineup on Opening Day. Shortstop JJ Wetherholt has made the Cardinals’ big-league roster, president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom told reporters Monday.
Wetherholt, 23, was the Cardinals’ 2024 first-round draft pick (No. 7 overall) out of West Virginia. He was ranked as the Cardinals’ No. 1 prospect by MLB.com and The Athletic, and the No. 5 prospect in all of baseball.
“He’s gone about his business this entire camp like a big-leaguer goes about his business,” Bloom told reporters. “It’s not just what he does on the field, it’s how he does everything. He is very consistent, very professional.”
Splitting last season between Double-A and Triple-A , Wetherholt batted .306/.421/.510 with 28 doubles, 17 home runs, 59 RBI and 23 stolen bases. He will hit leadoff or second in the St. Louis lineup to begin the season.
Wetherholt’s spring wasn’t as impressive as Benge’s, with a .212/.386/.394 slash line, but he hit two homers with seven RBI in 33 at-bats.
Yet the Cardinals had a need at second base after trading All-Star Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners in a three-team deal also involving the Tampa Bay Rays. That’s where Wetherholt will play alongside shortstop Masyn Winn, who was credited with 21 Outs Above Average and two Defensive Runs Saved last season.
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