Carson Benge, AJ Ewing get ‘contagious’ label from Mets’ Carlos Mendoza

May 14, 2026 - 22:30

The New York Mets watched Carson Benge snap out of a personal slump to start May. Then witnessed AJ Ewing rise from MLB Draft pick to star in Queens, N.Y. Now manager Carlos Mendoza is taking notice of their energy inside the dugout.

Mendoza spoke vibrantly about both rising May stars on the Mets, including believing their energy has become “contagious” for the franchise.

“Their style of play is going to provide a lot of energy,” Mendoza began. “They’re going to get on base, they’ll grind at-bats, they’re going to put the ball in play and make pitchers work. And then once they get on base, they’re going to put pressure on the defense. They’re having fun…they’re playing and that’s contagious.”

Carlos Mendoza says Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing have brought "contagious" energy to the Mets pic.twitter.com/nIINbka8Aw
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 14, 2026

Benge once swung at a dismal .186 at the bat. But his personal tide shifted after ripping this home run on May 4 against the Colorado Rockies:

Carson Benge follows up his diving grab with a solo shot for the Mets' first hit of the game! pic.twitter.com/mk9jKrKKlu
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 4, 2026

He later smacked two hits versus Colorado during the Mets’ May 6 contest. But he’s delivered his best swings the last three games.

Benge shook off an 0-for-2 start on Tuesday to hit a single over to left field, then settled for an infield single. Both became two of 13 team hits during the 10-2 rout of the Detroit Tigers. He followed with a three-hit outing Wednesday during the 3-2 win that saw one RBI. Benge blasted two hits in the 9-4 Thursday victory, which included stealing second base during the bottom of the fifth.

Ewing accomplished a new personal milestone Thursday: Swinging his first big league home run on a solo blast traveling 405 feet.