Carson Benge, the New York Mets' latest first-round draft pick, recently made his debut visit to New York City and Citi Field, where he had the opportunity to participate in batting practice and meet his new teammates. The 21-year-old outfielder from Oklahoma State University is already making an impression both on and off the field.
Reflecting on his first experience at Citi Field, Benge was full of enthusiasm. “It was just amazing, getting to meet all the guys, they were all so welcoming,” he shared. “Being able to do that with some of the guys I've been growing up watching on TV is just an unreal experience. I'm really looking forward to everything that this organization has to offer.”
This visit marked Benge's first trip to New York City, and he was visibly captivated by the metropolis. “It's amazing, took my breath away, really like it,” he said, smiling. “Took a little bit getting used to, considering I'm from Oklahoma, a bunch of hills, no big cities there. But I really love it, been traveling around a little bit and really like it so far.”
During his brief stay, Benge made sure to explore some of New York’s iconic sites. “I went to the memorial, I love the memorial. I went to Times Square, which I was good once, probably won't go back there again. Too many people for me, but I went to a nice little steakhouse, saw the Empire State Building, just been walking around, it's been really cool.”
The highlight of Benge's visit to Citi Field was undoubtedly his first batting practice. Reflecting on the moment he hit his first ball over the fence, he said, “Definitely really cool to know that that's all I wanted was to just get one and I got it, so I'm happy with how my round went.” When asked about the player he was most excited to meet, Benge mentioned Francisco Lindor. “I'd say, honestly it was Lindor, but coming into it they were all amazing, all of them, everyone. They were also welcoming, so I really liked them all.”
I was part of the media present and asked several questions during the session. One topic that generated significant interest was Benge’s transition to focusing solely on being an outfielder. “We set in stone that I'm just going to be an outfielder from here on out, just going to drop pitching, focus on one, trying to get me up here as quick as possible, see how that turns out,” Benge explained. “But as much, as hard as it is to do one thing, it's double the amount of hard to do both. So being able to stick to one should help me.”
When asked if this was a difficult decision, Benge replied, “I mean, not really. I just want to be able to get up here, and if that's going to be the quickest way for me, then I'm okay with it.” Reflecting on two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, Benge noted, “Just how special it is, because it's one thing to do it through 60-some games, but to do it through 162, it's just amazing how he's been able to keep both sides up.”
Benge’s journey to the MLB started in Yukon, Oklahoma. As a senior at Yukon High School, he pitched to an 8-1 record with 124 strikeouts and batted .490. He then committed to Oklahoma State University, where he redshirted his first year following Tommy John surgery. In 2023, he showcased his versatility by excelling both as a pitcher and an outfielder. He batted .345 with seven home runs and 43 RBIs and earned Freshman All-America honors.
Benge’s transition to focusing solely on being an outfielder is a strategic move aimed at speeding up his ascent to the major leagues. His performance at Oklahoma State, where he hit .335 with 18 home runs and 64 RBIs in his final season, caught the attention of MLB scouts, leading to his selection by the Mets as the 19th overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft.
When asked if he had made any significant purchases with his signing bonus, Benge chuckled and revealed, “I got a truck. Sure did. Yeah, it was my first purchase. Had to.” He elaborated on his choice, saying, “I haven’t had a truck in a while, so I think mine gave out. It was a 2003 and mine gave out in March, so being able to get a car is pretty cool. It’s been stranded the whole summer.”
As he embarks on his professional career, Benge is set to join the St. Lucie Mets in Florida. Reflecting on his future, he expressed optimism about focusing solely on hitting. “I'll be able to step into all my weaknesses and focus head-on, spending all my time on that instead of splitting between hitting and pitching. Growth should come a lot faster.”
Carson Benge’s dedication and talent make him a promising addition to the Mets organization. With his focus now solely on excelling as an outfielder, fans have much to look forward to as they watch his journey unfold.
Here is the full media availability with Carson prior to the Mets Braves game on 7/25/24.
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