While his Triple-A results were underwhelming over 103 plate appearances—including missing time after being hit on the hand—his underlying metrics remained elite. His strong contact rates, exit velocities, barrel rates, and swing decisions suggest the poor results could be simply just noise and bad batted ball luck. ESPN comped him to Brandon Nimmo and Jarren Duran as a five-tool center fielder, but with the recent trade for Luis Robert Jr., he will likely play left field in 2026. Benge is reportedly already in Port St. Lucie working to earn a spot on the opening day roster. Benge is a prospect promotion incentive eligible, requiring 172 days on the major league roster in 2026 to maintain that eligibility.

Nick Morabito

2025 minor league stats: 492 PA, .273/.348/.385/.734, 6 HRs, 59 RBIs, 49 SBs

Nick Morabito earned a spot on the 40-man roster after a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League, slashing .362/.450/.464/.914 across 80 PA. Morabito’s speed helps him outrun mistakes in the outfield as he continues to refine his reads and routes. He does not project to have the center field defense or power to be a starting center fielder in the majors, but he is fully capable of playing all three outfield positions off the bench.

At the plate, Morabito does many things well but does not possess any true carrying tools. He is a spray hitter with solid plate discipline but he hits the ball into the ground too often. His power output will be well below-average, but he can compensate some by utilizing his speed on the base paths. Time at Triple-A will help him continue honing his speed and defense, which could become carrying tools, though his profile projects as a fourth outfielder type at the major league level rather than an everyday player. With Tyrone Taylor a year away from free agency, Nick Morabito could slot in as his replacement.

Ryan Clifford

2025 minor league stats: 579 PA, .237/.356/.470/.826, 29 HRs, 93 RBIs, 7 SBs

Ryan Clifford had a bounce-back 2025 season after struggling with contact in 2024, with his contact rates jumping back to around where they were when the Mets acquired him from the Houston Astros in 2023. He underwent an eye procedure which helped him to better see the ball. The North Carolina native relies on his upper body strength, and he may have the best pure power in the club’s farm system. While concern that he could be a three-true-outcomes player has not completely disappeared, he looks like a much more complete hitter after 2025, profiling as a power-hitting first baseman with outfield flex, a patient approach, and a plus arm. There are some concerns that he can be too passive at the plate and that he does not pull the ball enough, but he takes his walks and has plus power.

Clifford split time between first base and the corner outfield in the minors. Despite his size, he is an average runner and his plus arm helps to make up for balls he is not able to get to quickly. He is knocking on the door of being a potential 30-homer hitter at the top level, though he does have some platoon concern against left-handed pitching.