11
Why This Mets Outfielder’s Pitching Past Is His Secret Weapon
Carson Benge: The Mets’ Rookie With a Rocket Arm
ELI5 Summary: Carson Benge is a new player for the New York Mets who can throw a baseball faster and more accurately from the outfield than almost anyone else in the major leagues. He used to be a pitcher too, and that experience helps him make incredible throws to get runners out at home plate.
Who Is Carson Benge?
Carson Benge is a 23-year-old rookie outfielder for the New York Mets. The team picked him in the first round of the 2024 draft after he starred at Oklahoma State University.
What makes him special? He was a "two-way player" in college—meaning he both pitched and played the outfield. Think of it like being the quarterback and the star wide receiver on a football team!
Why His Arm Is a "Superpower"
Benge doesn’t just have a good arm—he has one of the best arms in all of baseball. Here’s the proof:
The Numbers Don’t Lie
| Stat | Rank in MLB | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Average Throw Velocity | 94.7 mph | 7th fastest in the majors |
| Maximum Throw Velocity | 101.6 mph | 4th fastest in the majors |
| Arm Value (Baseball Savant) | 93rd percentile | Better than 93% of all position players |
Important Point: "Arm Value" is a fancy stat that measures how well a fielder uses their throwing power to stop runners from taking extra bases. Being in the 93rd percentile means Benge is elite at keeping runners from advancing.
Real Game Impact: The Dodgers Game
On July 24, Benge showed off his cannon against the Los Angeles Dodgers:
- First assist: Threw a runner out at home plate
- Second assist: Did it again later in the game
- Result: Two huge outs that helped his team
Mets interim manager Andy Green (who used to be the team’s Vice President of Player Development) said:
"He had that on draft day… You get the best version of him in all situations. He doesn’t make more of it than it is."
From Pitcher to Outfielder: The Journey
College Days at Oklahoma State
- Fastball topped out at 96 mph
- Also threw a slider and changeup
- 2024 season (as reliever): 3.16 ERA, 44 strikeouts in 37 innings
- Started as a starter in 2023, converted to reliever in 2024
What Scouts Said
Brock Riley (former Cape Cod League assistant pitching coach):
"He was as good as any other pitcher there. He definitely had the ability to pitch professionally if he wanted to go down that path."
Important Point: Riley emphasized Benge wasn’t just a "thrower"—he could truly pitch with strategy and multiple pitches. And he loved doing it!
The Transition: Why He Chose the Outfield
The Draft Decision
- Teams saw his position player tools were even more elite than his pitching
- Mets drafted him as an outfielder, not a pitcher
Benge’s Take
"I missed pitching a little bit at first… but I quickly realized how difficult it is to succeed in professional baseball as merely a one-way player."
How Pitching Helps Him Now
| Pitching Skill | Outfield Benefit |
|---|---|
| Arm strength | Throws runners out from deep outfield |
| Accuracy | Hits the cutoff man / home plate perfectly |
| Mental toughness | Stays calm in high-pressure moments |
| Quick release | Gets rid of the ball faster (improving every year!) |
Rookie Season Success
Benge isn’t just a thrower—he’s a complete player producing real results:
- 1.8 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) via FanGraphs
- 3rd most among ALL National League rookie position players
- Expected to be a core piece for the Mets’ 2027 contention window
Important Point: WAR estimates how many more games a team wins with this player compared to a replacement-level player. 1.8 in a partial rookie season is excellent.
Getting Better: The "Transfer Time" Focus
Andy Green has noticed a specific improvement:
- Challenge: Get rid of the ball quicker after catching it
- Benge’s response: Made it a "big part" of his development
- Result: Faster release + elite velocity = deadly combination
"Now it’s strength and speed, and that really plays well." — Andy Green
What’s Next for Benge?
The Mets are building for the future, and Benge is a foundation block:
- Elite defensive asset (arm + improving release)
- Offensive contributor (1.8 WAR proves it)
- High-character, pressure-proof makeup
- Only 23 years old with tons of upside
As Green put it:
"Every throw is another reminder that although he no longer is a pitcher, he still throws like one."
Summary
| Key Takeaway | Details |
|---|---|
| Who | Carson Benge, 23, Mets 2024 1st-round pick |
| Superpower | Elite outfield arm (94.7 avg / 101.6 max mph) |
| Background | Two-way star at Oklahoma State (pitcher + outfielder) |
| Why it matters | Arm ranks 93rd percentile; 2 assists in one game vs Dodgers |
| Rookie production | 1.8 WAR = 3rd among NL rookie position players |
| Future | Core piece for Mets’ 2027 contention plans |
| Secret sauce | Pitching background = accuracy, composure, quick release |
FAQ
Q: Could Benge have been a pitcher in the majors instead?
A: Absolutely! Scouts said he had legit pro pitching stuff (96 mph fastball, slider, changeup) and a pitcher’s mentality. But his hitting and fielding tools were even better, so teams wanted him as an everyday position player.
Q: What does "93rd percentile arm value" actually mean?
A: It means Benge prevents runners from taking extra bases better than 93% of all MLB position players. It combines throw speed, accuracy, and decision-making into one number.
Q: Why is "transfer time" so important for outfielders?
A: Transfer time = how fast you get the ball from your glove to your throwing hand. Even with a cannon arm, if you’re slow getting the ball out, fast runners will score. Benge has worked hard to make this faster.
Q: Is Benge a good hitter too, or just a defensive specialist?
A: His 1.8 WAR proves he’s contributing offensively as well. WAR includes hitting, baserunning, AND defense—so he’s a complete player, not just a glove-first guy.
Q: What does the Mets’ "2027 contention window" mean for Benge?
A: The Mets traded away veterans in 2024 to rebuild. They’re targeting 2027 as their next playoff run. Benge (age 23) will be 26 then—right in his prime—and they expect him to be a star cornerstone of that team.
Article based on reporting from Newsday Sports. Statistics current as of 2024 season.
