An unproven outfield prospect is the Mets' secret weapon for a World Series run, boasting impressive minor league numbers and a top-tier ranking.
The New York Mets have big aspirations for the 2026 campaign following their aggressive offseason that brought multiple stars to Queens. With a star-studded roster, a deep postseason run is in the cards for this year's Mets, even just a few months after missing out completely at the end of 2025.
With that said, the team’s X-Factor isn’t exactly somebody who’d be expected to make such an impact on a team with World Series goals. It’s not one of their stars or even somebody like Jorge Polanco or Devin Williams who will be replacing the production of former stars who left in the offseason. Instead, Bleacher Report named outfield prospect Carson Benge as the Mets’ X-factor for 2026.
Benge has yet to play a game in the major leagues, but he still earns the spot as the biggest X-Factor. Ranked as the No. 16 prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, the 23-year-old is bound to debut this season, possibly even making the Opening Day roster.
With multiple top prospects in the Mets’ organization being moved this offseason, Benge has moved up to the club’s second-ranked prospect behind only right-hander Nolan McLean. Selected in the first round of the 2024 draft, Benge’s bat in the minor leagues has made him a real threat to take over the final outfield spot in the majors.
He played 15 games in Single-A after being drafted in 2024, where he posted an .857 OPS. He recorded the same number in his first full season in the minors in 2025, this time split among High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A.
Benge was his best in Double-A, where he hit eight home runs and scored 23 runs in 32 games on his way to a slash line of .317/.407/.571. His time in Triple-A wasn't as successful, however, failing to get his batting average over the Mendoza line and finishing with just a .583 OPS. His struggles at the Triple-A level have caused some pause about how ready Benge is to contribute to the Mets in 2026, but he’s still viewed as the X-Factor by BR’s Kerry Miller.
This spring, Benge has shown off some great bat-to-ball skill with a .350 average in 20 at-bats. None of his seven hits have been for extra bases, however, limiting his OPS to a not-as-impressive .731. The power will come – it seems to be just a matter of time. For now, the rate that he’s recording hits is encouraging.
Despite being one of the top outfield prospects in baseball and there being a real opportunity in New York, there are still some questions Benge has to answer in 2026. His struggles in Triple-A and lack of power this spring have allowed some doubt about his readiness to creep in, but it hasn't stopped some from viewing the 23-year-old as the X-Factor for a loaded Mets team.