MIAMI — Officially, it was Game No. 51 for the Mets on Friday. Unofficially, it was Kids’ Night.
That meant the all-rookie outfield of Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing and Nick Morabito was assembled for the first time, with all three in the starting lineup another first. They never had started together in the same outfield at any professional level.
The trio combined to go 1-for-9 in the Mets’ 2-1 loss. Ewing singled and was the only Met besides Juan Soto to get a hit against the Marlins.
On the bright side, Morabito’s diving catch in left helped save a run in the fifth.
From left field to right it was Morabito, Ewing and Benge, hardly a configuration many would have imagined this early in the season when the Mets opened spring training in February.
Count manager Carlos Mendoza among those who could not have envisioned it.
“I don’t think anybody did,” Mendoza said before the Mets’ loss. “But it’s exciting, and they continue to earn it.”
Such is the new reality for the Mets following injuries that have left Francisco Lindor, Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. sidelined for the long term. Benge began the season with the club, Ewing arrived 1½ weeks ago, and Morabito was promoted in recent days.
All three have brought a youthful vibe to the Mets clubhouse.
“They are unreal,” Tyrone Taylor said. “I think they are built different these days.”
Taylor was asked in what manner the new wave is built differently.
“They are obviously skilled at baseball, but I think their mentalities, how they go about it is cool,” Tyrone Taylor said. “It’s like they are unfazed by the moment.”
Benge, 23, took a .262/.316/.360 slash line with three homers and eight stolen bases into play. He’s been among the team’s best offensive performers in May following a sluggish start to the season.
He began the day with an .859 OPS for the month, but his defense has been mixed, with multiple glaring lapses including a dropped fly ball during the Subway Series last weekend.
“He is such a good hitter,” Morabito said. “His plate discipline is pretty elite with his bat-to-ball skills and he’s got some juice as well and he can impact the game. He can really run out there and he’s a great defender.”
Ewing, 21, brought a .276/.432/.448 slash line with one homer and two stolen bases over 10 games into play.
“I think what impresses me is his plate discipline and obviously his speed,” Morabito said. “Speed plays a big factor here.”
He can impact the game in so many ways, but I have loved playing with him and just watching him mature as a baseball player.”
Morabito, 23, was teammates with Ewing this season for two months at Triple-A Syracuse. He was teammates last season with Benge for about a month at Double-A Binghamton.
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Ewing and Benge were teammates at Single-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton last season.
Morabito, who debuted in the major leagues Tuesday, has wasted little time getting acclimated.
“It’s awesome,” Ewing said. “The guys, everyone with me was super inviting, and they did the same with him and he’s been fitting in really well and seems comfortable. He plays the game extremely hard.”
Mendoza has other options for the outfield, most notably playing Juan Soto in left. But the inclusion of the three rookies on the roster allows Mendoza to use Soto as the DH. The Mets have another strong option defensively for the outfield in Taylor.
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But it’s the three rookies attracting attention as the Mets attempt from the early hole they have dug. The Mets began play 22-28 after splitting four games in Washington.
“I think all three of them have all the tools and the Mets’ future looks pretty cool,” Taylor said. “Fans should be excited about it for sure.”
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