Three Mets Rank Among Baseball America's Top 12 Graduated Prospects

The New York Mets endured a disappointing 2026 season, but a new Baseball America ranking offers reason for optimism about their young major league talent.

Three Mets players landed among the top 12 in Baseball America's ranking of the 50 best prospects who graduated in 2026, published Monday.

Outfielder Carson Benge led the group at No. 8, followed by right-hander Nolan McLean at No. 10 and outfielder A.J. Ewing at No. 12.

Left-hander Zac Thornton also made the list, checking in at No. 47.

The rankings assess players who exhausted their prospect eligibility during the 2026 season, with Baseball America assigning grades based on each player's projected upside.

Benge received a 65 grade, with the publication projecting him as a potential All-Star right fielder.

That evaluation followed a strong rookie season in which Benge emerged as one of New York's most promising young players.

He hit .282 with 20 home runs and 65 RBIs while appearing in 156 games.

Benge also became the first rookie in Mets history to record 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season.

McLean received the same 65 grade, with Baseball America projecting him as a potential No. 2 starter.

The right-hander emerged as a dependable presence in New York's rotation, finishing 12-10 with a 3.16 ERA and 194 strikeouts across 179 2/3 innings.

Both Benge and McLean also earned Gold Glove nominations following their impressive seasons.

Ewing wasn't far behind, receiving a 60 grade and a projection as a potential All-Star center fielder.

At No. 12, he ranked ahead of several other highly regarded young players, including Detroit's Max Clark and Seattle's Colt Emerson.

Thornton rounded out the Mets' representation at No. 47.

The left-hander received a 50 grade, with Baseball America projecting him as a potential No. 4 starter.

Thornton posted a 3.42 ERA in 15 starts during his rookie campaign, giving New York another young pitcher who could compete for a rotation spot in 2027.

According to Baseball America's separate rookie eligibility tracker, eight Mets players graduated from prospect status during the season.

Four of those players landed among the publication's top 50, including three in the top 12.

The Mets finished 74-88 and missed the postseason for the second consecutive year, leaving considerable work ahead this offseason.

Still, the emergence of Benge, McLean, Ewing and Thornton gives New York a young foundation to build around as it looks to return to contention.