The New York Mets' farm system had quite the year, with several players making significant strides. Nolan McLean, once a promising prospect, has now positioned himself as a potential top-of-the-rotation pitcher and a leading contender for the 2026 National League Rookie of the Year. Jonah Tong also made waves, establishing himself as one of the premier pitching prospects, though he still requires some refinement.
Carson Benge has emerged as a top-10 or top-20 prospect, likely set to start as the Mets' right fielder and possibly the second favorite for NL ROTY. Meanwhile, Will Watson and Josh Wenninger, along with Zach Thornton before his injury, have climbed into the global top 75-125 range. Jacob Reimer and Ryan Clifford also made significant progress.
Amidst these standout performances, A.J. Ewing's impressive development might be flying under the radar.
Although he only hit three home runs last season and spent most of his time in the lower minors, primarily Brooklyn, his achievements are noteworthy. Ewing posted a 147 wRC+ across three levels, stole 70 bases, and maintained a 12% walk rate-all while adjusting to a new swing and transitioning from the infield to center field.
Not bad for a 20-year-old who was drafted as an over-slot prep pick in the fourth round and had a 102 wRC+ with a nearly 30% strikeout rate in Single-A in 2024.
Ewing is now considered a 70 or 80-grade runner, with a strong likelihood of becoming a plus defender in center field. He’s shown excellent swing decisions, avoiding the passivity that often hinders other hitters in the Mets system, while maintaining solid in-zone contact rates.
The power isn't quite there yet, but it's more about approach than ability. Ewing hits the ball hard, often producing low line drives.
Teaching a player who already makes hard contact to adjust his approach is generally more straightforward than building power from scratch. So, projecting more home run power for Ewing in the near future is reasonable.
Even as things stand, Ewing's speed, defense, and contact skills suggest he could be a solid regular in center field. If he can develop into a player who hits 10-20 home runs, we could be looking at a potential All-Star. He might be closer to the majors than many think, having ended the season with a 28-game stint in Double-A, posting a 133 wRC+, despite some decline in his walk and strikeout rates.
The Mets' offseason moves might offer clues about their confidence in Ewing. While he appeared in trade rumors, it was Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat who were traded to Milwaukee for Freddy Peralta.
The Mets opted for a short-term solution in center field with Luis Robert, rather than a long-term commitment, which could pave the way for Ewing. His defensive skills align with the run prevention strategy emphasized by David Stearns earlier this offseason.
All signs point to Ewing being a prospect to watch. Ranked as the 3rd or 4th best in the Mets system and a top-50 prospect in baseball according to Baseball Prospectus, he’s poised to make an impact soon. While there's always risk with prospects, Ewing is definitely one to be excited about.