Carson Benge Sets Mets Rookie Record

Benge also became just the 18th rookie in MLB history to post such a season, joining the likes of Bobby Witt Jr., Mike Trout and Hall of Famer Carlos Beltrán.

It has been a great rookie season for the 23-year-old, who also surpassed Pete Alonso for the most hits by a rookie in Mets history, with 156. Benge also has 21 doubles, 20 home runs, and 22 stolen bases, and drove in 64 runs with a .768 OPS across 154 games this season.

“I feel like anything that can be in the history books and done for the first time is something special,” Benge said about his 20/20 season. “I hold that close to my heart. God is good all the time.”

As many remember, Benge’s rookie season didn’t get off to the start either he or the Mets envisioned. Despite a great spring training, the young outfielder slashed just .192 in April. Benge overcame that dreadful start by shining with the bat and the glove, recording 10 outfield assists so far in his rookie campaign.

But all eyes, of course, are on who will take home National League Rookie of the Year honors this year. Aside from Benge, the frontrunners are Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds , JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals and even Benge’s teammate Nolan McLean.

Benge was asked how much it would mean to win NL Rookie of the Year.

“There’s a bunch of guys in the running, one being another guy in the clubhouse. I feel like there’s a lot of good players in there and winning that would be amazing,” Benge said.

Benge will have two more games this weekend to make his case for rookie of the year honors. But even if he doesn’t win the award, it’s safe to say the Mets have a young star on their hands who will be sticking around for quite a while.

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