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Son of former NY Mets player and playoff hero drafted by the Twins in Round 6

It might be time to stop and smell the roses.
ByTim Boyle|
Jun 17, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; St. Louis School (Hawaii) shortstop Bruin Agbayani during the MLB Draft Combine high school baseball game at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jun 17, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; St. Louis School (Hawaii) shortstop Bruin Agbayani during the MLB Draft Combine high school baseball game at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In “want to feel old” news, the son of a former New York Mets player has been drafted by the Minnesota Twins. Nothing makes a fan feel older than seeing the offspring of a player follow in their father’s footsteps. The latest is Bruin Agbayani.

It doesn’t take much detective work to realize who his father is. Certainly not Filipino comedian Bayani Agbayani. Our very own Benny Agbayani whose walk-off home run in the 2000 NLDS is the one Bruin calls daddy.

Baseball has another Agbayani, this time he’s with the Twins organization

For the sake of distinction, I’m going to get informal here. Let’s drop the last name. There is Benny. There is Bruin. This will help avoid any further confusion. 

Benny has a special place for many of us of a certain age. He has the distinction of being the one player in the history of my youth to indirectly have my father officially state the words “I hate my life.” It was during an attempt at getting Benny’s autograph after his Mets days while he was in Triple-A. My dad dropped his baseball card during the scramble. It was signed, but not after giving little ole me the realization that my father was living a life of misery.

Hopefully, Bruin doesn’t have any similar experience.

Bruin is an 18-year-old drafted in the sixth round by Minnesota. He played in the MLB Draft League in 2025, batting .171/.310/.200 in 42 plate appearances. An infielder listed at 6’2 185 pounds, he doesn’t appear to have much in common with his father at first glance.

Neither will his path to the big leagues. Benny was drafted in the now non-existent 30th round by the Mets in 1993. He’d make his MLB debut in 1998 and for a few years was a regular in the outfield for the Mets. Left field was where we saw him most.

Although best remembered for his walk-off home run, Benny was consistent in the playoffs throughout his time with the Mets. He batted .299/.420/.433 in 82 trips to the plate. None mattered more than his one home run that, if the Mets won the 2000 World Series, would’ve been remembered more iconically.

Benny was one of the more fun Mets players of the era. Never a star but always appreciated, Bruin has a certain legacy to live up to.

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