Carson Benge’s Historic 20-20 Season Is Mets’ Only Bright Spot
· Yahoo Sports
Carson Benge just did something no Mets rookie has ever done before. He became the first rookie in franchise history to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a single season. This feat happened during a 7-6 loss to the Washington Nationals on Friday night, a game where the Mets fell apart in the third inning with four wild pitches. While the loss sealed their fate as last-place finishers in the NL East, the individual achievement stands tall against the backdrop of a disastrous team season. Per Yahoo Sports, Benge is now the 18th rookie in MLB history to reach these numbers, joining legends like Mike Trout and Carlos Beltrán.
A Record That Stands Alone
The stats tell the story of a player who overcame a terrible start to become a cornerstone. Benge slashed just .192 in April, but he finished with 156 hits, 21 doubles, and 22 stolen bases. Across 154 games, he drove in 64 runs while posting a .768 OPS. This performance broke the franchise rookie record for hits, surpassing the mark Pete Alonso set in 2019. “Anything that can be in the history book and done for the first time is something special,” Benge said about the milestone. “I hold that close to my heart.”
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Manager Andy Green highlighted how rare this all-around production is for a first-year player. Green noted that Benge has done as well as any rookie in baseball in terms of offense, defense, and base running. “He just did something no Mets rookie’s ever done before,” Green said. “That’s pretty special. It’s well-rounded.”
Why the Rookie of the Year Race Matters
Even though the Mets will finish in last place, Benge remains a top contender for National League Rookie of the Year. He faces stiff competition from Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart, who has 32 homers and 111 RBI, and St. Louis infielder JJ Wetherholt. In the NL, Benge holds the second spot for rookie home runs, while hits and steals place him third. Through Friday, Wetherholt led NL rookies, leaving Benge with 3.7 bWAR and 3.7 fWAR, both ranking second. The team lost the series to the Nationals, but Benge’s case for the award only grew stronger with his historic night.
Benge knows the award would mean a lot, even with the team’s struggles. “There’s a bunch of guys in the running, one being another guy in the clubhouse,” Benge said regarding the competition.
The Silver Lining in a Lost Season
It is easy to focus on the 73-87 record and the bitter taste of watching other teams celebrate the playoffs. Andy Green admitted that avoiding the cellar was not the main goal once elimination became a reality. Watching other teams celebrate playoff inclusion should leave a bitter taste in our mouths as we strive to return. That’s all I’m really concerned with, Green said before the game. Yet, finding a young star who can hit for power and run the bases is a massive win for the franchise’s future.
With two games left in the weekend series, Benge has a chance to add more to his resume. The Mets may be in the cellar, but they have found a piece of the future that they can build around. Benge remarked that winning such an award would be cherished throughout his career, likely standing as one of the most significant honors he could earn. That is the only thing that truly matters right now.