Carson Benge hit a home run off Gerrit Cole on Saturday, and even that didn’t fully explain why everyone keeps talking about him. The Mets’ right fielder snapped an 18-game homer drought with a 43-degree launch-angle blast to the bleachers in right center, but his teammates were already treating the diving catches that define his nights as normal. Benge finished 2-for-5 with two RBI, and his 17th home run of the season extended the Mets’ lead to 4-0.
The 23-year-old rookie had been quiet at the plate, but his defense and baserunning have been anything but. He has 22 stolen bases, 10 outfield assists in right field — the most among all rookies — and a cannon of an arm that throws runners out or holds them from advancing. On Saturday, he made a spectacular catch in the eighth inning when Aaron Judge lined one toward the gap in right center, sprinting across the field and laying out to snare the ball.
“It’s fun watching guys play the game all out and leaving it all out there all the time,” interim manager Andy Green said. “The diving catches are turning into something that you now expect which tells you something about the type of defender he is.”
“When it goes in the gap and you see him running you’re like ‘he’s gonna lay out and catch this,’ he just does it again and again and again.”
Benge’s Home Run Against Cole
Benge’s homer came in the third inning on a 1-0 slider from Cole that went high in the air and landed 368 feet away. It was the Mets’ third home run off Cole, and it gave Benge a signature moment after weeks of defensive highlights. The rookie said the team’s approach worked.
“We put together some good at-bats early and just kept chipping away and eventually got [Cole] out [of the game], so overall I think we did a really good job at our plan today,” Benge said.
Soto Calls Benge a Superstar
Juan Soto, the Mets’ star, went further. When asked what he thinks of Benge’s all-around game, Soto called the rookie a superstar.
“He doesn’t impress me anymore, I think he’s a superstar,” Soto said. “He’s doing things that superstars do everyday. I mean everyday he’ll always find a way to make us smile with the swing, with the running, with the throws. It’s just incredible.”
Benge’s teammates now expect the acrobatics. His diving catches have become so standard that they barely register as newsworthy.
Benge’s Reaction to the Superstar Label
When told about Soto’s words, Benge was appreciative but composed.
“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “It’s pretty special to be able to catch someone’s eye like that so that’s really cool and I’ll just keep on doing my thing and working hard everyday.”
Benge was asked directly which he liked more: hitting a home run or making a great catch. He chose the former.
“It’s definitely way better,” he said, perhaps signaling that his amazing grabs are becoming standard for him, too.
The Numbers Behind Benge’s Season
- 17 home runs on the season
- 22 stolen bases on the season
- 10 outfield assists in right field, the most among all rookies
- 368-foot home run off Cole
- 43-degree launch angle on the homer
- 2-for-5, two RBI on Saturday
What Benge’s Game Says About Him
Benge is putting together one of the most complete all-around seasons as a rookie. He hits for power, steals bases, makes highlight-reel catches, and plays with a confidence that comes from being constantly ready.
His ability to do it all is why Soto called him a superstar. The rookie has found a way to make every game a little bit fun for his teammates, whether he is swinging the bat, running the bases, or chasing down a ball in the gap.
The Bottom Line
Benge’s homer against Cole was a reminder that his bat can still match his glove. But the real story is the consistency. The diving catches are no longer a surprise. They are simply what happens when Benge takes the field.
He has become a superstar to his teammates, and he is not letting the label change his approach. He will keep doing his thing and working hard everyday.
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