Mets get exciting outlook on top prospect Carson Benge for 2026 season
Mets get exciting outlook on top prospect Carson Benge for 2026 season originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The New York Mets have built a World Series contender this offseason. While they missed out on Kyle Tucker, they have some incredible players on the roster that make up for the missing out on Tucker.
Most of the starting lineup is set for the 2026 MLB season, but if there is one spot that could be up for grabs, it's right field. However, CBS Sports' Mike Axisa projected that Carson Benge, the Mets' top prospect, will take over the right field spot this spring and not let it go for the 2026 regular season. Mets top prospect Carson Benge gets exciting outlook for 2026 season "The frontrunner: It's Benge.
I don't think it's a secret the Mets want him to be the guy," Axisa writes.
"That said, it is not a lock, and Benge will have to perform well this spring to get an Opening Day roster spot." The Mets are obviously hoping for the best with Benge in 2026, and with Axisa fully expecting the rookie outfielder to win the right field job, the Mets might have a very fun outfield tandem in the corners between Benge and Juan Soto for years to come.
But, while Axisa fully expects Benge to win the starting job, he will have to contend with Brett Baty, MJ Melendez, and Tyrone Taylor as possible options. Also, as depth options with the Mets are Mike Tauchman and Jared Young, though neither is as likely to earn a starting job as Benge.
More : Mets trade rumor on Brett Baty, Mark Vientos is unexpected update from Pirates But, as is the case with all of these backup options, as Axisa writes, "Something will have gone very wrong if one of those guys gets regular playing time in the outfield." Overall, Axisa believes that the Mets' right field competition is Benge's to lose.
While Baty and Melendez are intriguing options, the Mets' ideal is what Axisa is expecting to happen with Benge as the frontrunner entering Spring Training. Benge still needs to win the starting job in right field, but with the lackluster options behind him, the Mets' top prospect has a clear path to being the Opening Day starter.
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The Mets top prospect is set up for success right from the beginning of the year.