​A.J. Ewing has emerged as one of the brighter notes for the Mets this season, and Tuesday night against the Royals underscored exactly why. The rookie outfielder went a perfect 4-for-4 in his first four-hit game, highlighted by a two-run homer and a career-high three RBIs. It was another standout performance in a recent stretch where Ewing has begun to find a groove offensively.
Over his past 22 games, dating back to June 14, Ewing has produced a .311 average with a .400 on-base percentage and a .568 slugging percentage, along with five home runs, four doubles, 16 RBIs, 12 runs, and a .968 OPS. “I feel comfortable in the box right now. That’s pretty much it,” Ewing said after Tuesday’s game. “When I say comfortable in the box, I mean it. I’m relaxed.” When asked about his growing power numbers, he noted that five of his six home runs this season have come in the last month, but he stressed that he isn’t chasing the long ball. “That’s not really something I’m pushing for,” he said. “It’s more just line drive stuff, but the fact that I’m getting the ball in the air to the pull side, it’s cool.”
Tuesday marked the third time Ewing has batted leadoff for the Mets at the big league level. Although the series opener with the Royals was the first time he collected a hit in the leadoff spot, Ewing has had plenty of experience there. While with Syracuse prior to his call-up, he slashed .342/.448/.525 with a .973 OPS across 33 games batting leadoff, a strong indicator that the spotlight at the top of the order suits him.
Through 52 games this season, Ewing’s on-base percentage of .359 ranks ninth among rookies, and his 22 walks sit 13th. It’s worth noting that only one rookie, San Francisco’s Bryce Eldridge, has more walks in fewer games, with most players ahead of him having logged at least 60 games. When asked how his skill set fits the leadoff role, the 21-year-old offered a direct answer. “Naturally, I see a lot of pitches,” he said. “That’s going to suit me well in that spot.”
Looking ahead, the Mets will send right-hander Steven Cruz to the mound as the Royals’ opener on Wednesday. There’s a solid chance we’ll see Ewing again batting leadoff, continuing to leverage his eye for pitches and his ability to spark the lineup from the top. If he can keep translating his favorable in-the-box approach into sustained production, Ewing could become a central figure in New York’s offense as the season progresses, especially given the team’s efforts to maximize his speed, plate discipline, and contact skills in the leadoff role. As he builds more experience and adds to his current momentum, Ewing’s early-season success could translate into meaningful improvements in the Mets’ run-scoring machinery and overall competitiveness this year.