During the offseason, the New York Mets shipped away Brandon Nimmo and were left searching for a replacement. It didn’t take long for the organization to look within.
On February 10, manager Carlos Mendoza announced that Juan Soto would be the Mets’ starting left fielder , a position he is already familiar with.
That shift in the outfield created a new question: who will take over in right field?
Some reports suggest the Mets are high on promoting their No. 2 overall prospect, Carson Benge. The 23-year-old was drafted in the first round (19th overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft. After appearing in just 15 games in Low-A during his draft year, Benge quickly climbed the minor league ladder in 2025.
Between High-A, Double A, and Triple-A, Benge posted a .281 batting average with 25 doubles, seven triples, 15 home runs, 73 RBIs, 68 walks, and 22 stolen bases. He did struggle during a brief 24-game stint in Triple-A, hitting just .178 with three home runs, but the overall production showed why the Mets view him as a key part of their future.
So far this spring, Benge has looked comfortable at the plate, batting .350 (7-for-20) with, RBI, three strikeouts and a stolen base.
However, the position has not yet been handed to the youngster. As of Saturday, Benge faces stiff competition from a group of veterans hoping to break camp with the club.
One of those competitors is Mike Tauchman, whom the Mets signed as a free agent this offseason. Tauchman made his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies in June of 2017 and has since spent time with the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago White Sox. The journeyman owns a career .246 batting average with a .727 OPS. His career highs include 18 doubles and 13 home runs, the latter coming back in 2019.
Tauchman is making a strong early impression this spring, batting .364 (4-for-11) with three doubles and a home run as he makes his case to earn the starting job.
Another outfielder hoping to secure a roster spot is MJ Melendez. The 8-year veteran spent the first seven seasons of his MLB career with the Kansas City Royals before entering free agency.
The Mets are hoping Melendez can return to the form that saw him hit 51 home runs across the 2022-2024 seasons. Injuries limited him in 2025, as a left ankle sprain held him to just 23 games. Now healthy, Melendez has put together a productive spring, hitting .364 with a double and two home runs.
Melendez did briefly leave camp to join Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, which could impact his chances of claiming the starting job. Still, after signing a one-year deal with the Mets, he figures to be part of the roster even if that means starting the season in a bench role.
Other internal candidates for right field include Tyrone Taylor and Brett Baty, though both could ultimately find themselves competing for reserve roles if the Mets decide Benge is ready for the next step.
If the Mets truly believe Benge is part of their long-term future, the opportunity may be now. With a veteran lineup around him and the organization entering a new era, giving the young outfielder a chance to grow at the major league level could pay dividends sooner rather than later.
For a rookie stepping into his first big league season, there may be no better situation than learning on the fly alongside a lineup built to compete.
