Carson Benge didn’t get off to a great start for the Mets in his first taste of the majors, but the rookie has slowly but surely begun his ascension and came through with a solo home run that sparked New York’s offense in an eventual 4-2 win against the Colorado Rockies.
Over his last 11 games, Benge is 10-for-33 and his batting average has climbed to .192 on the season. While still not great, the rookie hasn’t let a rough start to his career get the best of him and has continued to work and stay the course, trusting that the process and his talent will eventually win out.
“I’d say there were definitely a little growing pains in there and I’m sure there’s still a few many to come,” Benge said after the game. “But just being able to step in there with my same level of confidence I’ve always had is definitely a big thing.”
Benge’s steady approach when things weren’t going his (or the Mets) way is a testament to his maturity. And still just 23 years old, it’s something that has impressed manager Carlos Mendoza since day one.
“I’ve been impressed with how he’s handled the whole situation, how steady he’s been, how professional, how mature he’s been,” Mendoza said. “And those are some really good signs from a young player, especially getting a taste at the big league level for the first time.”
Making the Opening Day roster after a spectacular spring training and tasked with playing right field, Benge had a lot on his plate served to him from the jump. However, on a team full of veterans he had the luxury of being able to go at his own pace and not put too much pressure on himself as he found his footing.
But with injuries to many of those veterans that New York was leaning on, suddenly the Mets needed Benge, and others, to come to the forefront.
For example, when Juan Soto went down earlier this season (and even when he returned), Benge had to move over to left field and handled it with ease. Now with Luis Robert Jr. sidelined with an injury, Benge has also played some center field, including on Monday where he made another nice catch following his pulchritudinous play in right field on Sunday.
There’s no doubt Benge’s defense has been solid all season, which is definitely important, but for him to stick in the majors and live up to his top-prospect hype his offense would have to follow suit. And lately, it has.
“It’s a good sign,” Mendoza said about Benge’s improved offense. “And it’s good not only for the team, but good for him to start playing with some confidence.”
If Benge can continue his development at the plate, one that includes patience which has led to three walks in his last two games after he walked just five times in April, it helps a Mets offense that has endured a team-wide slump for much of the season.
But even during his and the team’s slump, Benge stayed positive through it all and his teammates had his back every step of the way.
“I feel like all the guys here, they had my back and they all believe in me so why can’t I believe in myself?” he said.