The David Stearns/Kris Gross era appears to be off to a good start with their first two picks in their initial MLB Draft leading the Mets. If you’re not a big amateur baseball fan, here’s something that should make you smile:
I love the Mets’ two picks, with Carson Benge (No. 19) a real upside play as a hitter who makes very hard contact and needs some small tweaks to get to power; and Jonathan Santucci (No. 46), the Duke left-hander with first-round stuff and some injury concerns after his 2023 spring ended due to a fractured elbow. Santucci was their second-round pick, and taking the chance on a first-round arm like that with your second pick is a great gamble.
Source: Keith Law, The Athletic
In another story today in The Athletic, Will Sammon details how Benge and Nolan McLean were not only teammates last year at Ok. State, they were roommates. The two pitcher/hitter prospects were in contact throughout the time leading up thru the draft, with McLean blowing up Benge’s phone once the Mets picked him. Sammon notes that McLean recently has given up hitting and the expectation is that once he gets established in pro ball that Benge will give up pitching.
One final note, the first-round pick’s last name is pronounced “Benj.”
From the Mets’ press release on the two picks:
“Benge, who recently completed his sophomore year at Oklahoma State University, hit .335/.444/.665 with 18 home runs and 64 RBI in 61 games. The 6-1 outfielder was a finalist for the 2024 Dick Howser Trophy as well as the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award. He was named a 2023 Freshman All American and was a two-time First Team All Big 12 selection (2023 and 2024). On the mound, the right-hander posted a 3.16 ERA with 11 walks and 44 strikeouts in 2024. The native of Yukon, OK attended Yukon High School and as senior went 8-1 with 124 strikeouts and hit .490 to lead his team to the Class 6A State Tournament.
Santucci, a left-handed starter from Leominster, MA, recently completed his junior season at Duke University. In 2024, he was named an All-ACC First Team Starting Pitcher as well as to the Golden Spikes Midseason Watch List. The 6-2, 205-pounder posted a 6-1 record with a 3.31 ERA, striking out 90 batters and holding opponents to a .188 batting average in 2024.”