Prospect Spotlight: Carson Benge, OF, Mets
Carson Benge, a 2024 first-round pick by the Mets, has quickly become one of the organization’s most exciting position prospects backed up by real performance. His 2025 campaign has showcased advanced on-base skills and contact ability, buoyed by a college track record and immediate success at full-season pro ball. The Mets have fast tracked his development and recently promoted him to AAA.
Statistically, he’s producing mature plate discipline, strong batted-ball data, and steady outfield play, fueling high ranks on Mets prospect lists and bullish long-term value in both dynasty and the hobby.
Collectors have already picked up on this, with more sales and premium pricing on color parallels. While raw base autos are trending in the $80–$100 range, which tends to be a sign of market confidence in the Bowman world. That is 2-3x from the beginning of the MiLB season.
| Height / Weight | B/T | Signed/Drafted | Org. Rank | Rule-5 EL | ETA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson Benge | 6'1" / 184 | L/R | 2024, 1st round (Mets) | #3 (Mets) | Dec 2027 | 2026–2027 |
1. Performance Snapshot
| Year | Level | G | PA | AVG | OBP | SLG | HR | SB | BB% | K% | wRC+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | NCAA | 67 | 304 | .335 | .444 | .665 | 18 | 10 | 16.1% | 16.7% | — |
| 2024 | A | 15 | 69 | .273 | .420 | .436 | 2 | 3 | 15.9% | 20.3% | — |
| 2025 | A+ | 60 | 271 | .302 | .417 | .480 | 4 | 15 | 15.1% | 18.5% | 130+* |
| 2025 | AA | 32 | 145 | .254 | .337 | .418 | 8 | 4 | 12.4% | 15.9% | 119* |
| 2025 | AAA | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
*Estimates based on contextual league averages; Benge has ranked above-average (top 15%) in wRC+ at both levels, aided by on-base skills and some emerging power. Promoted to AAA Syracuse on August 13, 2025.
2. Advanced Indicators
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Contact % | 82% | Excellent for a power-capable collegiate bat; well above MiLB avg |
| Chase % | ~18% | Shows advanced plate discipline; rarely expands zone |
| In-Zone Whiff % | ~12% | Well below pro-average, showing plenty of barrel accuracy |
| 90th EV | 104–105 mph | Decent, not elite; room to add strength for HR output |
| GB/FB | 1.3–1.4 | More groundballs than ideal; launch angle tweaks could unlock pull-side pop |
Benge’s contact and swing decisions stand out, but mechanical refinement (less busy load, more consistent timing) could boost in-game power and launch angle profile.
3. Scouting Grades (Present / Future)
| Tool | Hit | Game Power | Raw Power | Run | Field | Arm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | 60 / 70 | 35 / 50 | 50 / 55 | 55/55 | 50/55 | 55 |
Hit: Premier zone control and bat-to-ball skill; mature approach to all fields, with potential for plus-plus if pro adjustments unlock more pull-side trajectory.
Game Power: Fringe pop now (opposite field HRs, high GB rate); upside to average HR output as he “gets the ball in the air” more routinely.
Raw Power: Solid, projects to above-average; present strength and bat speed, but not a launch-focused masher.
Run: Above-average; moves well for a corner outfielder and adds value on the bases.
Field: Average now; advanced instincts, could play all three OF spots but best in RF.
Arm: True plus; former college pitcher with carry and accuracy for right field.
4. Organizational Fit & MLB Outlook
- Mets have modest MLB outfield depth and a clear path in right or left field by 2026–2027.
- Defensive versatility gives him multiple routes to playing time, though right field is the most natural home due to his arm strength.
- After earning a promotion to AAA Syracuse on August 13, 2025, Benge has accelerated his timeline—a big league debut could come as early as 2026 if he continues his rapid ascent through the system.
5. Sentiment & Market Buzz
- Featured in Baseball America and MLB Pipeline's Top 5 Mets Prospects for 2025. Recently moved to 20 on the Top 100 MLB prospect list.
- His rapid promotion to AAA just one year after being drafted has generated significant buzz, validating the Mets' first-round investment.
- Recent "hot sheet" mentions cite Benge's "dead-zone discipline" and consistent contact as standouts for a newly drafted college bat.
- Dynasty managers value his floor and multi-category profile, with airtight OBP and flashes of more latent thump.
- Prospect analysts: "Benge has some of the best at-bat quality in the system—rare for such a fresh draftee," and "The AAA promotion speaks volumes about the Mets' confidence in his advanced approach."
- The hobby community has responded with rising prices, with the AAA promotion and prospect rankings bump likely to drive further price appreciation.
6. Bowman Hobby Outlook
Bowman 1st Auto Recent Sold Comps (Raw):
- Base auto: $125 - almost a 3x rise in the past month, seems to be heading higher as well with one recent sale at $150
- True Blue Refractor Auto (/150): $400–$600
- True Gold Refractor Auto (/50): $1000+ (using PSA 9 for reference, no recent raw sales)
Graded Sales (PSA 9/10):
- Base PSA 10: $250+. In early July it could be bought for $125. Listings (not sold), are already rising to $500 BINs
- True Blue PSA 10: $600 are our last solid comps, but that's last month, and today this would probably start at $800 and could hit $1250 range easily.
- True Gold PSA 10: $2400
7. Bowman Hobby Outlook
BUY/WAIT/SELL? Verdict: Sell (and wait for the offseason)
If you're just hearing about Benge now, the ship has likely sailed. We should have noticed sooner but it can be hard to catch them all. And those base card comps are where you would typically try to unload a bit.
While there's now plenty of upside for the player, there's less remaining upside in the cards. If you are keen to jump in, likely best to wait for the offseason where prices market-wide tend to drop slightly and you could get a better entry price.
We'll have a month of AAA data to digest between now and then. Yes, there's some risk he dominates there (3/12 with 2 runs and no XBH so far), but the hype cycle will die down.