Mets rightfielder receives honor for debut season that includes strong offensive play and highlight-generating defense.
They were highlights custom-made for our viral age. On Aug. 17, in the top of the 1st inning at CitiField, New York Mets rookie right fielder Carson Benge threw out San Diego's Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado at the plate on back-to-back plays to preserve what was then a 0-0 score in an eventual 2-1 Mets victory.
While the consecutive howitzers from right were definitely noteworthy, what really set them apart was their velocity. The first clocked 99.9 mph on the radar gun, but it turns out Benge was just warming up, as the second flew to the plate at 103.9 mph.
While those may be the most eye-opening plays of Benge's first MLB season, the simple fact is that he has been one of the few consistent bright spots in a long and disappointing Mets campaign. To recognize that, on Friday, Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com named Benge to the site's 2026 All-Debut Team, which honors players who actually played their first major-league games this season, i.e., no cups of coffee in any previous year.
The writer mentioned the joy in being able to, yes, "Benge-watch" the kid, noting that, "The former two-way player has a cannon for an arm, and his strike zone control, athleticism and baseball IQ make him an extraordinarily well-rounded player."
With a solid .270 average, .744 OPS, 18 home runs, 58 RBIs, 19 doubles, three triples and 22 stolen bases, to go along with 10 outfield assists and a sparkling .981 fielding percentage, Benge has indeed made a strong case to be the Mets' right fielder for the next decade.
He is also staking a claim to being named the National League Rookie of the Year when the season concludes. As of Sept. 14, DraftKings listed Benge as having the fourth-best odds to take home NL ROY honors at 75-1, trailing Cincinnati first baseman Sal Stewart (-2500), Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean (12-1) and St. Louis second baseman J.J. Wetherholt (50-1).
Joining Benge on the MLB.com 2026 All-Debut Team were Miami Marlins' catcher Joe Mack, Colorado Rockies' first baseman T.J. Rumfield, Wetherholt at second, Detroit Tigers' shortstop Kevin McGonigle, Toronto Blue Jays' third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, Chicago White Sox left fielder Sam Antonacci, A's center fielder Henry Bolte, Chicago White Sox designated hitter Munetaka Murakami, Los Angeles Angels starter Walbert Urena and Toronto reliever Spencer Miles.
Benge's major league career is off to a fantastic start, and this nod further solidifies that the 23-year-old has a bright future ahead.
