Carson Benge’s right arm might be the most exciting tool on the Mets roster this season.
That arm unloading twice in the first inning Monday set the tone for the night: Two Padres were thrown out at the plate. Run prevention was also in full force an inning later, when A.J. Ewing nailed a runner at the plate.
The defensive push led to a 2-1 victory, the Mets’ 10th in their past 13 games.
Before his third straight impressive performance defensively in right field, Benge was asked by The Post if he thought base runners might stop testing him.
“I hope not,” Benge said. “That is one of the parts of my game that I am prouder about is being able to show off whenever I can. It’s real fun.”
Benge nailed Jake Cronenworth at the plate on Ty France’s one-out single in the first. The ensuing batter, Jackson Merrill, singled in front of Benge, who unleashed another gem and threw out Manny Machado at the plate to conclude the inning.
The display gave Benge four outfield assists over the past three games and nine this season, which ranks second in the National League.
Such throws have likely placed the 23-year-old Benge in the Gold Glove conversation in right field. Benge also figures to receive consideration in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting, bolstered by a .751 OPS (entering play).
Benge’s 2.4 bWAR entering Monday ranked third among NL rookies, behind JJ Wetherholt and TJ Rumfield.
On the defensive level, Benge rates as average in range (at zero outs above average, according to Statcast). But his arm value and arm strength rank in MLB’s 95th and 98th percentiles, respectively.
“I think he’s put himself at the forefront of the Gold Glove conversation and the Rookie of the Year,” said Mets bench coach Kai Correa, who oversees the team’s defense. “If he’s not in either of those, I am not sure what we are doing.”
Benge’s defensive highlights over the weekend included racing down Dylan Crews’ shot to right field Sunday — he collided with the fence after the catch. Benge had a sliding catch on Daylen Lile’s fly to right later in the game. On Saturday, he nailed Crews attempting to score from third on a fly to right. A day later, Brady House got thrown out by Benge attempting to race from first to third.
Correa noted that Benge, who progressed through the minors mostly in center field, has moved around the outfield this season to accommodate other players, but it hasn’t appeared to stunt his growth in right.
“The second thing is, everyone can say it and talk about arm strength,” Correa said. “But to have the consistency and quick release and be accurate — he is making 98 mph throws on the bag, on the plate, long hops on the fly. So, the consistency of accuracy at that arm strength is a pretty special weapon, and then the athleticism to complete plays: dive, slide and jump. He is really the total package out there.”
Benge admitted to receiving a thrill watching the replays of his best throws.
“Some of them, they get up there that I throw pretty hard and they are one-hop strikes and they are pretty fun to watch,” Benge said. “I feel like I have always had it. I feel like I have always been pretty accurate, know when to hit the cutoff man for the most part and know whenever it’s OK to let it fly a little bit.”
Benge’s assessment of his outfield play overall?
“I have felt like I’ve gotten better,” he said. “I have felt like there’s easy plays that I haven’t made, and I know I can still get better on reads and different things like that. But overall, I am pretty satisfied with how it’s continued to grow throughout the year.”
The Mets haven’t had a Gold Glove winner since Juan Lagares won one in 2014. Their best chance to end that drought this season might rest with Benge, especially if runners continue to test his arm.
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“Any kind of recognition in this league for any award would be amazing, no matter what award it might be,” Benge said. “But Gold Glove or Rookie of the Year, it’s pretty cool to be in those talks.”
