NY Mets rookie A.J. Ewing has been too good to care about the growing pains

Projected to maybe get a glance at big league action later this season, the New York Mets summoned A.J. Ewing up to the majors just over a month ago. He debuted on May 12, unbelievably, quickly living up to the minimum requirements of giving the Mets defense and speed. His first game included a triple and a stolen base. Routinely hitting fifth or sixth, appropriate or not, the Mets are getting continuous reminders he’s worth the growing pains any rookie will go through.

An exceptional runner and fielder, the offense hasn’t always been magnificent. Then come games like the one he had on Sunday when he was a triple shy of the cycle. Batting .267/.337/.381 on the year, he has surpassed Carson Benge in each of those slash line totals. Ewing has lacked the defensive lapses Benge has had at times, too. Errorless thus far, the one hole in his game has been the strikeout total.

We already knew based on his minor league numbers that home runs weren’t something we’d expect in bunches. His breakout season last year only included 3 in 564 plate appearances. He has already reached 2 with the Mets in the majors. The strikeout rate, while concerning, is simply one of those holes in his game that should hopefully work itself out.

A.J. Ewing is doing too many things to well to even notice the holes in his game

A 29.2% strikeout rate is far from ideal. When you hit for as little power as Ewing does, which we shouldn’t be fooled into thinking there’s much more there, it can be aggravating.

Ewing remains beatable, in particular against left-handed pitchers. They’ve held him to a .152/.194/.242 slash line with 12 punchouts in 37 chances. Meanwhile, he has been excellent against righties with a .302/.394/.430 slash line. The struggles against left-handed pitchers shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s managing it correctly that’ll determine if this is something the Mets can overcome or not. Things like pinch hitting him for Eric Wagaman have worked well and give the team an inside track to make this weakness more minor as long as they have options around him right now.

Ewing will eventually have to hit lefties better if he’s going to become more than a platoon player. He can’t hide forever.

What’s a bit unusual with Ewing is we have yet to really see his full offensive prowess on display. Only 7 stolen bases, this quick-footed freshman is one of the fastest players in the league and getting on base regularly and yet not taking off and running as much as he did in the minors. It seems like he has robbed more hitters from bases than he has actually managed to steal. Already worth 3 OAA, he has been every bit satisfactory tracking down balls. One has to wonder why he ever played an inning at second base in the minor leagues with wheels like these.

Unlike Benge who went through what felt like a lengthy slump to begin his major league career, Ewing’s drop-off was almost overshadowed by other shortcomings going on with the Mets in 2026. After going 0 for 4 on June 1, he was hitting .224/.316/.299. Look up now and he’s at a far more respectable .261/.344/.378.

More contact instead of so many Ks will be Ewing’s first step toward becoming something greater than a satisfying rookie. He has the gifts to be a major league leadoff hitter. It’s now a matter of just putting a few more balls in play and letting chaos ensue.

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