​Not much has gone right for the New York Mets in a tumultuous 2026 season, but there are signs they may have uncovered a lasting piece for the outfield. Carson Benge isn’t the only rookie making an impact in New York’s grass. The undervalued A.J. Ewing continues to emerge as a viable contributor in center field, offering a spark the Mets have desperately needed. Injuries to Luis Robert Jr. and Tyrone Taylor forced the team to fast-track Ewing from Triple-A Syracuse after just 12 games there. Now 21, he has risen to the challenge, posting a .276 batting average, a .359 on-base percentage, and a .431 slugging percentage across 200 plate appearances, with six homers and nine stolen bases.
Ewing put together a game for the ages on Tuesday, in the chaotic 16-12 defeat to the Kansas City Royals. He entered as the leadoff hitter and went 4-for-4 with a walk, stole a base, and launched an upper-deck homer, his fourth long ball in his last 13 games. At 160 pounds, the rookie’s power-speed combination is encouraging, especially after he swatted three homers in the minors last season. His glove work also stood out, as he leaped at the wall to deny Michael Massey of an RBI extra-base hit, underscoring his defensive potential. Ewing has recorded plus-3 Defensive Runs Saved in center, a position where the Mets have long sought both offensive and defensive stability.
Following Tuesday’s breakout, Ewing sits just behind Juan Soto for the Mets in OPS at .790 and in weighted on-base average at .349, a respectable foothold for a player who arrived in the majors with limited fanfare. The team has rewarded his early production by placing him at the top of the lineup against right-handed starters in his last three games, a clear vote of confidence in his ability to set the tone at the top of the order.
There is some competition for playing time, as Tyrone Taylor has returned and has nabbed a couple of starts from Ewing against left-handed pitchers. The Mets could consider maintaining a more formal platoon, though the numbers suggest Ewing handles both sides of the platoon adequately. He has a solid .372 on-base percentage against right-handers and a respectable .777 OPS versus lefties, indicating his versatility and the potential to be a regular contributor regardless of the opposing arm.
In terms of baserunning, Ewing hasn’t delivered the same impact on the basepaths as some of his peers. He has been caught six times on 15 stolen-base attempts this season after a 70-steal campaign in 2025. Still, his speed, combined with Benge’s emergence, has given the Mets two dependable outfield anchors for the foreseeable future.
Overall, Ewing’s quick ascent offers a glimmer of hope for a franchise seeking young, controllable talent to build around. His ability to contribute in center field with solid defense, combined with enough hitting and base-running tools to be a regular contributor, makes him a noteworthy piece of the Mets’ long-term lineup plan. As the season unfolds, his continued development will be a focal point for the organization as they evaluate whether he can grow into a steadying presence in the Mets’ outfield for years to come.