Can Three 2026 Mets Rookie Outfielders Make an Impact?
The Mets’ offense is statistically the worst in the MLB. Juan Soto is set to be in right field, as he is in the second year of a 15-year contract. The Mets' other two outfield spots are open to be taken. The center field spot is currently held by Luis Robert, who is only under contract for 2026 and has a club option for next year. Carson Benge is the current starting left fielder, but is struggling offensively. He’s a rookie, and it hasn't been a month yet, but the 2024 first-round pick is starting to pick up the pace and is showing his potential on defense with his speed and arm.
The Mets do have options in the minors, in Triple-A, if they want to become much younger, both offensively and defensively, in the outfield with Nick Morabito and AJ Ewing. Morabito, Benge, and Ewing can bring the Mets a spark to their lineup because they each display speed, defense, and hit for average. The Mets' problems with their lineup are that they have too many veterans and not enough young players. Their farm system is ranked between fifth and 12th in the MLB, but has fallen from fifth because of the Freddy Peralta trade back in January.
The three outfielders are three of the top 12 prospects in the Mets system. Ewing is arguably the hottest hitter in the system. After a breakout 2025 in which he stole 70 bases across three levels, he has been elite at Double-A Binghamton to start 2026. Also, due to his hot start, he has already been promoted to Triple-A. He is slashing .349 batting average, .481 on base percentage, .571 slugging for a 1.052 OPS through 18 games this season.
Morabito has already reached Triple-A and has more "polished" experience than Ewing. He recently hit his first Triple-A home run and has shown improved power, though his preseason projections suggested a more modest .239 average. Morabito and Ewing both had impressive spring training and are definitely the next two names in the depth charts for outfielders. Morabito is probably going to be the closest one to get called up out of the two because he’s gotten more reps at Triple-A than Ewing. The Mets need to do something to infuse life and production into the lineup, and a move with these two young hitters rather than veterans might help.
