Mets' first-round pick Carson Benge goes a long way in first batting practice at Citi

On Thursday afternoon, Carson Benge stepped to the plate for his first batting practice in the big leagues.

“Have fun, kid,” Francisco Alvarez said to the Mets’ first-round pick, patting his back as he emerged from the dugout.

Benge was selected 19th overall in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft following two seasons at Oklahoma State University. He will begin his professional career at the Florida Complex League in Port St. Lucie.

“The guys have all been so welcoming,” Benge said prior to Thursday night’s matchup against  Atlanta. “I grew up watching some of them on TV, so meeting all of them was an unreal experience. I’m really looking forward to everything this organization has to offer.”

The Yukon, Oklahoma product was a two-way standout at Oklahoma State. As an outfielder, he hit .335/.444/.665 with 18 home runs and 64 RBIs over 61 games. On the mound, Benge posted a 3.16 ERA with 44 strikeouts and 11 walks during his junior season.

“Carson is an incredibly athletic player who can impact the game in multiple facets,” said Kriss Gross, vice president of amateur scouting for the Mets, in a statement. “I look forward to watching him develop as he begins his journey to the major leagues.”

On draft night, Benge said he hoped to have a chance with his arm and the bat. In Flushing, however, he needed to make a decision.

“We (etched) in stone that I’m just going to be an outfielder from here on out,” he said. “I just wanted to get up here and if the quickest way for me to do that meant dropping pitching, I’m OK with that.”

In his Citi Field batting practice debut, Benge’s first hit of the day cleared the fence in rightfield. As he begins his journey to the major league one step at a time, he said that hit is all he could have asked for on his first day out.

“That was really cool,” Benge said. “That’s all I wanted. I wanted to get one and I got it.”