PORT ST. LUCIE — Carson Benge always knew of Darryl Strawberry, but you can forgive the Mets‘ top overall position player prospect for not knowing just how big of a deal he is to the fanbase, and to baseball history as well. He’s only 23, after all. Strawberry’s last MLB season came four years before Benge was even born.
But after the retired right fielder and the up-and-coming right fielder got a chance to meet one another in camp this week, Benge realized just how big of a presence Strawberry still is in the game.
It was fitting that with the six-time All-Star, three-time World Series winner and Mets Hall-of-Famer in attendance Wednesday, Benge went 3-for-3 in his fourth-ever Grapefruit League game.
“I got to two strikes on all of them pretty quick,” Benge said after the Mets’ 6-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Clover Park. “Being able to battle for my team and just find a way on base, it’s pretty good.”
His two-strike approach is one of the aspects of his game that has the Mets excited his future. Manager Carlos Mendoza mentioned it early on in camp after seeing the way he battled through at-bats against his teammates during live bullpens. It’s carried right over into Grapefruit League games.
“His ability to stay on the fight, especially when he gets behind in counts, [stood out],” Mendoza said. “We saw it today with his ability to fall off pitches and then just using the whole field and putting the ball in play.”
His two-strike approach was developed over the years at Oklahoma State and aided by the Mets’ player development group, but Benge doesn’t see it as any sort of well-honed strategy or skill. He simply despises swinging and missing.
“It kind of sprouted from not liking to strike out,” Benge said. “Anything not to strike out. Put the ball in play, and good things will happen.”
That checks out: Benge has more hits (139) than strikeouts (106) as a pro.
“I hate striking out,” Benge said. “Just being able to fight and scrap for every pitch is good.”
Don’t worry, he doesn’t lose any sleep over strikeouts.
The Mets have Benge penciled in for the right field job on Opening Day, but he has competition in camp. They also want to have him talk with Strawberry more, and with the former Mets great’s affinity for homegrown players, getting to know them is meaningful to him too.
In Benge’s first big league camp, he’s becoming more at ease with the big leaguers and the former big leaguers, watching them and listening to them in hopes of becoming one himself soon.
“I’m getting adjusted day-by-day,” Benge said. “Kind of seeing how everyone is playing, what it takes, seeing how good they are. I feel like I’m getting comfortable really, day-by-day.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Francisco Lindor (hamate surgery) had the stitches removed from his left hand Tuesday. Once the incision point heals, he’ll be able to start what Mendoza called “impact activities,” which should be in about two days.
Francisco Alvarez got into his first Grapefruit League game of the season Wednesday as a DH. The Mets will have him catch this weekend, and play in back-to-back games as well.
UP NEXT
Right-hander Nolan McLean will make his first start of spring training in West Palm Beach when the Mets continue Grapefruit League action against the Houston Astros. Robert Stock and Anderson Severino are both scheduled to pitch for the Amazin’s.
