The Mets have promoted their outfield star, A.J. Ewing, to the major leagues, according to Will Sammon from The Athletic. He’s set to debut tomorrow against the Tigers at Citi Field. The team needs to make some adjustments to their roster for this move.
Ewing’s call-up comes at a crucial time. The Mets have struggled offensively, sitting near the bottom in scoring. The 21-year-old began the season in Double-A and was recently moved to Triple-A Syracuse, where he played just 12 games before the big league promotion.
Drafted in 2023 as a fourth-round pick, Ewing was a strong find for the Mets. He was selected with the 134th overall pick, compensation for their loss of Jacob deGrom. Ewing’s impressive plate discipline and athletic performance have quickly made him a notable prospect.
In his minor league career, Ewing has showcased solid hitting. He boasts a .290 average with nearly a .400 on-base percentage. This season, he’s been even better, hitting .339 with a .447 OBP in his first 132 plate appearances. He combines speed and skill, successfully stealing 17 bases out of 18 attempts.
This isn’t the first time the Mets have made a bold move with a young player. Carson Benge was also called up early this season and has emerged as a strong contributor. He’s now the team’s top performer, right after Ewing, who now ranks as the #33 prospect in baseball according to Baseball America.
Ewing stands at 6’0” and 160 pounds. While he doesn’t have monster power, he makes good contact. His game focuses on line drives and getting on base rather than hitting home runs. Despite earlier concerns about strikeouts, he has improved in this area but will face tougher challenges in the majors.
Originally a second baseman, Ewing shifted to center field last year. He’s expected to fill the team’s gap in center, especially since Luis Robert Jr. is currently on the injured list. Meanwhile, Tyrone Taylor has struggled offensively, leaving room for improvement with Ewing’s skills.
Currently, the Mets hold the worst on-base percentage in MLB at .287. If Ewing can maintain his minor league performance, he should provide the much-needed boost to the lineup. Additionally, if he and Benge continue to excel, the Mets might reconsider their strategy when Robert returns.
Ewing is on a trajectory that allows him to earn full service time if he ranks among the top two for Rookie of the Year, which would protect his future with the team.
As fans, we can look forward to seeing if Ewing’s energy sparks the Mets’ struggling offense. This call-up captures the excitement of young talent breaking into the big leagues, and Ewing certainly has the potential to turn some heads.
For more insights on the Mets and their prospects, check Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects.
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