​Producing early power, Mets’ A.J. Ewing matched Joe Morgan’s 1965 productive defeat in a performance that originally appeared in The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Tyler Tolbert drew most of the post-game attention after Tuesday’s wild 16-12 victory by the Kansas City Royals over the New York Mets at Citi Field. The Royals outfielder deserved the spotlight for tying an MLB record with 12 consecutive hits and for recording back-to-back five-hit games. Yet it’s hard to overlook what Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing accomplished in defeat.
The 21-year-old rookie went 4-for-4 with four runs scored and a stolen base. He continued an unexpected power surge with a home run, joining a very small club: only two players in MLB history have posted a similar single-game line in a loss. Joe Morgan did it for the Houston Astros on July 8, 1965. Ewing has been the Mets’ leadoff hitter for the past three games, drawing a walk and reaching base in all five of his plate appearances on Tuesday while driving in three runs. His second-inning, two-run homer came on a first-pitch, 77-mph sweeper from Royals starter Seth Lugo. With two home runs in his past three games, the 5-foot-10, 160-pound rookie is showing power that belies his age. Through 52 MLB games, Ewing has six homers; in 124 minor-league games last season, he had three.
If Ewing’s power develops early, paired with his defensive acumen, the Mets—who sit in last place at 38-54—could be cultivating an elite talent. Among his other feats in Tuesday’s defeat, Ewing became the franchise’s first player aged 22 or younger to amass four hits, including a home run, and a walk in a single game. Ewing, who was slated to lead off again Wednesday against the Royals, discussed his recent power surge, maintaining that his approach remains contact-first. “That’s not really something I’m pushing for,” Ewing told SNY Mets. “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.”
What’s equally notable? Since Ewing’s MLB debut on May 12, the Mets’ top three outfielders by fWAR have been among the league’s best, with strong contributions at the plate and in the field. Carson Benge’s fWAR stands at 1.8, ranking eighth; Ewing sits at 1.2, tied for 12th. Emerging as a home run threat atop the batting order, Ewing continues to add value to a lineup that often found itself on the wrong end of close games, even in defeat.
The broader MLB landscape is already noting Ewing’s impact: Shohei Ohtani in Los Angeles keeps creating historical milestones with his 300th home run, and other young stars like Nationals’ James Wood are trending toward impressive milestones, including leadoff home run records and 40-20 prospects. Whether or not the Mets can capitalize on this young talent remains to be seen, but the early signs are promising.
Meanwhile, Kansas City’s offense flashed throughout the game, scoring in multiple innings and putting constant pressure on the Mets’ pitching staff. The Royals’ ability to string together offense in a variety of ways was on display, even as Ewing and the Mets battled valiantly to stay in the fight. The game served as a reminder that in baseball, a single performance can carry a player into the national spotlight, offering a glimpse of what could be a promising career ahead for A.J. Ewing and a hint of what the Mets might be building for the future.