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40 articles
CHC • Catcher • #15
24 days ago
Kelly batted for designated hitter Moisés Ballesteros after the Mets replaced Freddy Peralta with lefty Brooks Raley in the sixth and hit a 431-foot homer on the first pitch he saw. Kelly is batting .340/.450/.520 with two homers, 10 RBI and 10 walks in 60 plate appearances. Miguel Amaya is doing a nice job, too, hitting .273/.400/.394, but he’s just not gaining any ground in the battle for playing time.
CHC • Catcher • #15
30 days ago
With the score tied 6-6 in the bottom of the ninth, Kelly scorched a “single” that would have been an extra-base hit if the runner at third wasn’t the winner. The 31-year-old has swung a nice stick to begin the year with a slash of .308/.426/.385, and he gets to call himself the hero of this Cubs’ comeback win as well.
NYM • Catcher • #15
about 2 months ago
It’s official. Benge seemingly locked up his spot on New York’s season-opening roster when veteran Mike Tauchman suffered a knee injury over the weekend. The 23-year-old top prospect put together an outstanding spring performance after hitting .281/.385/.462 with 15 homers and 22 steals over 116 games across three minor-league levels last year. He’ll make his big-league debut on Thursday afternoon against the Pirates.
NYM • Catcher • #15
about 2 months ago
It seemed to be tracking this way, but now we know for sure. Benge, the 16th-ranked prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, went 15-for-41 (.366) this spring with five runs scored, five RBI, and one steal. Only two of his hits went for extra bases, and he had just a 31 percent hard-hit rate in a small sample, so fantasy managers shouldn’t expect a ton of power production from Benge, but he has shown a good understanding of the strike zone and has the speed to steal double-digit bases. It remains to be seen how much he’ll play against left-handed pitching, so it’s not the most fantasy-friendly skillset for 2026 only, but he’ll be a regular starter in a good lineup, and that’s worth a gamble in the later rounds of drafts.
Source: Mike Puma
NYM • Catcher • #15
about 2 months ago
What looks like the only exception is that it’s Ben Rortvedt behind the dish instead of Francisco Alvarez. Carson Benge is starting in right field and batting eighth for the Mets. He has been battling Mike Tauchman for the starting gig there throughout the spring, though Tauchman left Saturday’s game with a knee injury and is heading for an MRI. The 23-year-old outfielder has certainly earned the job this spring, hitting .368 (14-for-38) with zero homers, five RBI and one stolen base. Here’s the full lineup that you’ll see from the Mets on Sunday: Francisco Lindor SS, Juan Soto LF, Bo Bichette 3B, Jorge Polanco 1B, Luis Robert Jr. CF, Brett Baty DH, Marcus Semien 2B, Benge RF, Rortvedt C.
Source: MLB
NYM • Catcher • #15
about 2 months ago
Obviously, Joel Sherman is not a member of the Mets’ front office, so he does not have an official say, but he has been covering the Mets for long enough that it’s worth noting when he makes a declarative statement like this. It doesn’t hurt that Benge has hit .406/.472/.500 in 11 games this spring, and the Mets don’t have another candidate to really push him for the starting right field job aside from Mike Tauchman. While many fantasy managers are focused on Kevin McGonigle and Konnor Griffin, Benge also should likely be drafted in a similar range after hitting .281/.385/.472 with 15 home runs and 22 steals across 116 minor league games last season.
Source: New York Post
NYM • Catcher • #15
about 2 months ago
Obviously, Joel Sherman is not a member of the Mets’ front office, so he does not have an official say, but he has been covering the Mets for long enough that it’s worth noting when he makes a declarative statement like this. It doesn’t hurt that Benge has hit .406/.472/.500 in 11 games this spring, and the Mets don’t have another candidate to really push him for the starting right field job aside from Mike Tauchman. While many fantasy managers are focused on Kevin McGonigle and Konnor Griffin, Benge also should likely be drafted in a similar range after hitting .281/.385/.472 with 15 home runs and 22 steals across 116 minor league games last season.
Source: New York Post
NYM • Catcher • #15
about 2 months ago
Benge reached base safely in all four of his plate appearances out of the leadoff spot in this one, raising his spring OPS to a robust .972 in the process. The 23-year-old top prospect, who batted .281/.385/.462 with 15 homers and 22 steals over 116 games across three minor-league levels last year, is hitting .406 (13-for-32) with one steal in 11 games this spring, which is going to make it nearly impossible for New York to ship him to Triple-A at the end of camp. It’s challenging to forecast immediate fantasy stardom for Benge as he acclimates to life in the big leagues, especially since he’s likely to hit at the bottom of the lineup. Yet, he’s a well-rounded talent with few weaknesses in his offensive profile, which gives him a shot at 15-20 homers and double-digit steals in an everyday role.
NYM • Catcher • #15
2 months ago
The 23-year-old is doing everything that he can to stake his claim to the opening that the team has in right field. Benge smacked an RBI triple off of Tyler Phillips in the second inning that extended the Mets’ lead to 5-0. He then added a two-run single in the sixth and came around to score on a double off the bat of Ronny Mauricio. He’s now slashing .391/.440/.478 with four RBI, one stolen base and a 4/1 K/BB ratio in 25 plate appearances on the spring.
NYM • Catcher • #15
2 months ago
Benge has no extra-base hits or walks through seven appearances, but he’s batting .350. The Mets had him playing center and Tyrone Taylor in right today. Benge is competing for the right field job, but the Mets do need to know if he’s viable in center in case Luis Robert Jr. goes down.
NYM • Catcher • #15
2 months ago
Benge has no extra-base hits or walks through seven appearances, but he’s batting .350. The Mets had him playing center and Tyrone Taylor in right today. Benge is competing for the right field job, but the Mets do need to know if he’s viable in center in case Luis Robert Jr. goes down.
CHC • Catcher • #15
2 months ago
The 31-year-old backstop victimized Ryan Thompson in the fifth inning, belting an 0-1 slider for a two-run blast to left that extended the Diamondbacks’ lead to 7-1. That would be his only hit in three at-bats on the day. For the spring, Kelly is now hitting .267 (4-for-15) with a pair of homers and four RBI.
NYM • Catcher • #15
3 months ago
Benge, who had been 0-for-5 this spring, had one line drive and a couple of groundball singles in a game in which the Mets were shut out. He’s probably the favorite to open up as the Mets’ right fielders against right-handers, but there is still a long way to go.
NYM • Catcher • #15
4 months ago
As Ken Rosenthal reports, “Throughout the offseason, [David] Stearns has expressed interest in leaving the door open for Benge to crack the Opening Day roster out of spring training.” To that end, Benge “was never seriously on the table during trade conversations” and could be the favorite to break camp as the Mets’ starting left fielder. He also spent time in the offseason hitting with the Holliday family after he was one of only three players in the minors with at least 15 home runs, 20 steals, a 150 wRC+, and a strikeout rate below 20 percent. If he does win the starting job, he could be a fantasy contributor right away.
Source: The Athletic
NYM • Catcher • #15
5 months ago
Stearns told reporters following the trade earlier this week, “beyond the immediate player return part of this deal, we think this opens up possibilities and flexibility for us going forward, both from a near-term perspective and also allowing space for a number of very young outfielders who are coming, who are talented and will deserve spots at the major league level and to play at the major league level.” While he didn’t single out Benge specifically, Stearns said earlier this offseason that the 22-year-old center fielder — who hit .281/.385/.462 with 15 homers and 22 steals over 116 games across three levels last year — will have a legitimate chance to make the Opening Day roster. His power/speed blend — underscored by a strong 105.9 mph 90th-percentile exit velocity at Triple-A — and his direct pathway to everyday at-bats make him a prime late-round target for fantasy managers next spring.
Source: MLB.com
NYM • Catcher • #15
6 months ago
Benge enjoyed a meteoric rise this past season, emerging as one of the premier prospects in the fantasy landscape after slashing .281/.385/.462 with 15 homers and 22 steals over 116 games across three levels in New York’s system. The 22-year-old outfielder’s blend of power, speed, and advanced plate discipline makes him a potential X-factor for fantasy managers heading into spring training. He’ll likely get a legitimate chance to break camp as the Mets’ starting center fielder — assuming the front office doesn’t land marquee free agent Kyle Tucker this offseason.
Source: Joel Sherman
BAL • Catcher • #15
8 months ago
Ragsdale will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game. The 27-year-old pitching prospect was claimed off waivers from the Giants in early August. He’s posted an encouraging 3.47 ERA across seven appearances (five starts) for Triple-A Norfolk.
CHC • Catcher • #15
8 months ago
Kelly broke the seal for the Cubs’ lineup with his solo shot after Braves’ starter Chris Sale struck out eight of the first 12 batters he faced. That gave him four home runs in his last seven games as he closes out what’s been the best offensive season of his career to this point with 17 homers and a .799 OPS.
CHC • Catcher • #15
8 months ago
It’s Kelly’s fourth career two-homer game, three of which have come this season. He entered September having gone 27 straight games without an extra-base hit, but he has three homers in four games this month.
CHC • Catcher • #15
8 months ago
Kelly tied the game at 6-6 with a two-run homer, and then drove homer the game-winner in the 10th with a single to score Seiya Suzuki. Not a bad little Labor Day. Kelly now has 14 homers and has slashed .259/.350/.443 in his best season since 2019.
NYM • Catcher • #15
9 months ago
There are more than just elite pitching prospects in New York’s system. Benge is one the verge of ascending to top-25 range dynasty prospect status by season’s end as he’s continued making consistent hard contact in the upper minors while also controlling the strike zone at a borderline elite level. The 22-year-old power-hitter went deep for the first time since being promoted to Triple-A and is slashing a robust .305/.410/.507 with 43 extra-base hits, including 13 round-trippers, and 20 steals in 98 games this season.
NYM • Catcher • #15
9 months ago
All three rank inside the Mets’ top 10 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline, with Jett Williams being the top-ranked prospect, Benge ranked 4th, and Clifford ranked seventh. The Mets’ top-ranked pitching prospect, Jonah Tong, was also promoted to Triple-A on Sunday. Benge was the Mets’ first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, and is one of the fastest risers on top prospect lists after hitting .311/.417/.519 with 12 home runs and 19 steals across 91 games between High-A and Double-A. Williams hit .284 in 95 games at Triple-A with 10 home runs and 32 steals, while Clifford had 24 home runs, four steals, and an .857 OPS in 104 games in Double-A this season. The future of the Mets’ lineup is pretty bright.
BAL • Catcher • #15
9 months ago
Ragsdale will heads to Triple-A Norfolk as a developmental project for Baltimore. The 27-year-old was removed from San Francisco’s 40-man roster earlier this week after struggling to an inflated 5.37 ERA across 65 1/3 innings (18 appearances, 14 starts).
CHC • Catcher • #15
9 months ago
The 31-year-old backstop smacked a leadoff single off of Trevor Rogers to open the second inning and advanced to third on a double by Pete Crow-Armstrong. He then trotted home on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Ian Happ. That would be the only run that either team would muster in the ballgame. With his two-hit attack, Kelly is now hitting .272/.367/.498 with 13 homers and 36 RBI in what has been a strong offensive season for the Cubs.
CHC • Catcher • #15
10 months ago
Kelly’s roller-coaster season has seen him hit .361/.500/.820 in his first 20 games and .156/.224/.211 in his subsequent 26. However, he’s bounced back nicely recently, batting .386/.461/.727 with three homers in his last 15 games. It all adds up to an .892 OPS, placing him third among catchers behind Cal Raleigh and Will Smith,
CHC • Catcher • #15
10 months ago
Kelly delivered a two-run double off of Gavin Williams in the second inning that extended the Cubs’ early lead to 3-0 and proved to be the difference in the ballgame. He also tacked on a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to cap off the scoring in the ballgame. With his two-hit night, the 30-year-old backstop is slashing a respectable .267/.369/.453 with nine homers and 29 RBI in 203 plate appearances on the season.
CHC • Catcher • #15
12 months ago
Kelly will miss his third straight game on Tuesday night due to illness. It’ll be Reese McGuire handling the catching duties in his absence. There figures to be an update on his status at some point ahead of Wednesday’s series finale at Wrigley Field.
Source: MLB.com
CHC • Catcher • #15
12 months ago
Reese McGuire, who was just called up from Triple-A Iowa, will handle the catching duties on Sunday afternoon in his place. Kelly has been an unexpected revelation this season in his Cubs debut and he’ll take on a larger share of the workload in the coming weeks with Miguel Amaya out with an oblique strain.
Source: Maddie Lee