After going 75-87 in 2023, the New York Mets were selected ninth overall in the 2024 MLB draft, but due to exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the competitive balance tax by more than $40 million, the blue and orange dropped down to the 19th overall pick.
Despite falling down in the first round, the Mets still managed to secure a stellar prospect in a two-player out of Oklahoma State.
The Mets selected Carson Benge 19th overall
With that 19th overall pick, the Mets selected outfielder/pitcher Carson Benge from Oklahoma State.
Benge just finished his redshirt sophomore campaign for the black and orange, slashing .335/.444/.665 across 61 games with 24 doubles, 18 home runs and 64 RBIs. The Oklahoma native made 18 appearances on the mound, four of which were starts, pitching 37 innings to a 3.16 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and 44 strikeouts while picking up three saves.
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For his performance, Benge was a semifinalist for the 2024 Dick Howser Trophy, given annually to college baseball’s best player, and for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award.
“He was an exciting player for us from the get-go,” Mets vice president of amateur scouting Kris Gross said. “Our area scout Trey Cobb did a great job of seeing him early, raising the flag for us, and we continued to get our looks on him, and he was a pleasure to scout throughout the process. “I mean the things he can do on the diamond we think are truly special. We think he can be a five-tool type center fielder long-term, so for it to work out somewhat how the mocks predicted, we’re definitely ecstatic to get him in the organization.”
Mets feel first-round pick Carson Benge has the makings of a ‘five-tool type center fielder’ (sny.tv)
Benge is anticipated to be a top-10 prospect in the Mets system after signing and will report to the minor leagues for the remainder of the season.
