In a time of desperation, the Mets might have found a relevant answer.
No, it’s not dishing out millions upon millions, and no, it’s not offloading prospects — it’s actually relying on the young guys. In some worlds, that approach can create controversy in the locker room, especially when a team is struggling to find consistency at the major league level.
Back in Mets land, though, the early returns have been encouraging.
The young guys are producing — big time. Whether it’s dominance on the mound from Nolan McLean or recent consistent hitting from Carson Benge, the Mets are finding ways to rely on top prospects. A.J. Ewing, the Mets’ No. 2 prospect, recently got the call in what many viewed as a desperation move given the team sat at 15-25, the worst record in baseball at the time.
Ewing wasted no time proving he was ready, reaching base three times while delivering a triple and two RBIs — becoming the first player in MLB history to record three walks and a triple in their debut.
“Wow, this is baseball,” said Ewing after his debut. “It’s indescribable what it feels like to play out there in a big league stadium.”
In the following game, the youth movement struck again. Carson Benge, with a chance to win it in the 10th inning, delivered. Ewing paced back and forth on second base, ready to sprint on contact, and broke for home after Benge lined a ball up the middle, giving the Mets their second straight victory.
“It’s good to see Carson not putting himself down,” said Carlos Mendoza following the win. “Not letting that last play affect him.”
Over the last 20 games, Benge has proved his comfort level at the major league level, going 20-for-63 at the plate with a .317 batting average and .358 OBP, while driving in 10 runs and scoring 11 times.
After the win, Benge joked with the media, saying he’s treating Ewing like a rookie, making him pick up stuff. The two came up together in the Mets’ minor league system, starting in High-A in 2025 before working their way up. Now, just a year later, both have provided the Mets with much-needed support.
“That’s one of my good buddies,” said Ewing, on playing with Benge. “So having him here always makes it a little more comfortable.”
However, the youth movement doesn’t stop there. Nolan McLean is quickly becoming the closest thing to an ace the Mets have had since Jacob deGrom. McLean, the former No. 1 prospect in the Mets organization, has continued his strong start to his career from 2025 — holding a 2.78 ERA through eight starts with a 1-2 record and 57 strikeouts, holding an otherworldly WHIP of .90. McLean is only the third starter since 1900 to record 80-plus strikeouts and allow fewer than 20 runs in their first 12 big league appearances, joining Paul Skenes and Matt Harvey.
While McLean will man the rotation for the next several seasons, there are more young pitching prospects still to follow. Jonah Tong, the 22-year-old top prospect, showed his face in the majors for a short stint, struggling — but putting experience under his belt. In 2026, Tong started the season in Triple-A, struggling but finding rhythm over his last two starts, tossing 11 innings while allowing just two runs with 14 strikeouts.
Jack Wenninger, however, could be the next Mets prospect on the way to Queens. Wenninger has had a phenomenal start to his 2026 season in Syracuse. Through seven starts, he’s spun a 1.08 ERA with 38 strikeouts, tossing 16.2 consecutive scoreless innings — and counting. For the Mets, their strong prospect room doesn’t just stop there. In Syracuse and the rest of the farm, several names remain vaulted — waiting for their name to be called to the major league roster. As David Stearns said in a press conference on Monday, the Mets will be doing what it takes to win. The prospect path could be his last hurrah.
