Two truths about NY Mets rookie Carson Benge after 11 games

The Opening Day home run wasn’t a monkey Carson Benge shook off his back. The New York Mets rookie outfielder has singled three times since, robbed of a couple of hits in the ongoing series versus the Arizona Diamondbacks already.

Some will say it’s time to send him back to the minors after only 42 chances spanning 11 games. Others will point to a high walk rate and an 84th percentile LA Sweet Spot %. For some, they’ll go to the extremes to fit whatever narrative they already had.

As always, both sides can be right and wrong at the same time. These two truths about Benge are what make it a divisive situation.

Truth: He doesn’t look like a finished MLB product

If you’re going to dive into how well he’s hitting the ball, you cannot ignore all of the other suggested stats that say he isn’t. The hard-hate rate which Baseball-Reference has at 44% and Baseball Savant a little higher is above league average regardless of which you choose. He’s also putting the ball on the ground a lot, BR claiming it’s 56% of the time. Thank goodness he can run and Wednesday’s bouncer late in the game got through.

Benge is far from the kind of prospect who was giving the Mets no choice but to carry him on the major league roster. His spring training was heavy with singles. He doubled once and tripled to go along with 13 other singles. It’s his confident play that can fool you into thinking he’s just fine if you didn’t know any better.

Truth: He’s not hurting the team enough to justify a demotion

Is it time to demote him? Benge hasn’t really cost the Mets a game unless you want to blame a blooper in St. Louis in extras completely on him. His defense has rated well and he has already been their most versatile defender. He’s the guy Carlos Mendoza is trusting in left field with Juan Soto out.

Hidden in the bottom of the order, the Mets are doing him a big favor by keeping Francisco Alvarez behind him. Alvarez has hit well this year and the threat of facing him after Benge should at least help the rookie get a few more pitches to hit.

He can run, field, throw, and draw a walk. He’ll need a few bleeders and the law of average to catch up with a few hits owed to him. Benge isn’t hurting him right now and can benefit from learning more at the big leagues. It’s when the Mets have a true better option in the minors or off their bench when we can discuss pulling the plug. At the moment, it’s a slump worth letting him play through.