The Mets announced Carson Benge as their starting right fielder Monday.
But the story behind the announcement is even better.
On Tuesday, the team released behind-the-scenes video of Benge finding out his fate. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza brought Benge into his office to give him the good news.
Mendoza first started his spiel.
“You carry yourself like a big leaguer. You play like a freaking big leaguer,” he told the rookie.
Then, he finished with one question.
“You come to Citi Field, you take batting practice, what was going through your head that day?” Mendoza asked.
“Holy s–t, I want to be here,” Benge responded.
“Well, guess what? On Thursday, you’re gonna get that opportunity,” Mendoza said. “You made the team, you’re gonna be in the lineup, you’re gonna be playing right field for the New York Mets.”
The decision came after Benge had a phenomenal spring training in Port St. Lucie, where he hit .366 with an .874 OPS in 14 games. His chances were also improved when outfielder Mike Tauchman suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee.
In the offseason, the Mets also shipped off Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers, leaving an outfield of Juan Soto, Tyrone Taylor, Luis Robert Jr. and potentially Brett Baty.
“I am happy that I carried myself in a really good way,” Benge said. “I showed everyone what kind of person I am and I feel like that is what spoke the loudest for me.
“Joy over everything, I would say,” Benge later added of how he felt after receiving the news.
Last year, Benge split time between High-A Brooklyn, Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. He had a batting average over .300 and on-base percentage over .400 at both High-A and Double-A but struggled in Syracuse, albeit in just 24 games.
He slashed .178/.272/.311 in 103 plate appearances, though his improvement this spring outweighs those numbers.
As Mendoza alluded to, Benge will likely mostly play right field, but the Mets also said he could rotate into center when Robert needs a day off.
His first MLB action won’t be easy, though — he’ll face Paul Skenes and the Pirates on Opening Day Thursday.
