After a strong run in Triple-A Syracuse, the Mets are bringing up A.J. Ewing as the team looks for a spark offensively. It caps off what has been a great month and a half for Ewing, a contact machine, and was one of the best on-base threats in the Minors before his promotion.
A Look at Ewing
Three years ago, the Mets took A.J. Ewing in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft, the same draft that landed the team Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean. Drafted out of high school in Ohio, Ewing was picked with the compensation pick received for losing Jacob deGrom to the Rangers.
In his first full pro season, Ewing spent most of his year in Low-A St. Lucie. His .688 OPS wasn’t all that impressive but he walked 44 times in 71 contests, a taste of things to come.
Last year, Ewing sped through the Minors, as he started in Low-A and finished in Double-A. While he only hit three home runs — Ewing had 10 between the FCL and Low-A in 2024 — he put up a fantastic slash line of .315/.401/.429 with 10 triples, 39 total extra-base hits, 68 walks, and 70 stolen bases across 124 total contests.
Ewing was quickly promoted to Triple-A Syracuse in late April after he posted a 1.052 OPS in Binghamton, and has done nothing but hit well since then. The 21-year-old picked up with 15 hits, five stolen bases, five walks, and a slash line of .326/.392/.435 over 12 games.
A plus speedster, Ewing does have the skill set to be a new-age leadoff hitter. The 21-year-old didn’t swing-and-miss much last season — and that was very much the case in 2026. Armed with quick hands and a good eye, Ewing can hack for days, whether it be to foul off balls to keep at-bats alive or to put the ball in play. That was very much his M.O. in A-ball.
Ewing had a 14.6% Whiff% with Syracuse, 20th-best in the circuit since April 28. He had just a 3.1% Whiff% on four-seamers (one total) with the baby Mets, and as you can see, it’s hard to beat Ewing inside the zone.
Very little chase (21.3% Chase%), which also put him in the upper echelon in Triple-A.
He may not be a big power hitter in terms of home runs. Not a lengthy swing, whatsoever. However, Ewing can barrel up baseballs. He did so in his brief stint with Syracuse (12.2%), good for the top 20% in Triple-A during Ewing’s few weeks in Triple-A.
Defensively, Ewing spent most of his time over the past two seasons in center field. But he also played at second, left & right field. The 21-year-old made several errors at second base: three in 19 games in 2025, and three in four this year.
Per multiple reports, including from the New York Times & New York Post, the Mets are promoting A.J. Ewing to the Majors on May 12.
Analysis
The Mets have been aggressive with some of their young prospects over the past few years. Jonah Tong didn’t spend much time in Triple-A last year before his promotion, and Carson Benge won a starting outfielder job in 2026 after a brilliant swing.
Ewing, after 12 games with Triple-A Syracuse, will now join Benge in the Mets’ outfield.
In last place of the NL East, the Mets are in a tight spot, specifically with their outfield. Luis Robert Jr. has not yet resumed baseball activities, forcing the team to get creative. Tyrone Taylor has played regularly, as has offseason pickup, MJ Melendez.
Ewing has a reserved, disciplined approach at the plate that the Mets could use right now. How Ewing will handle the Majors now remains to be seen. But the facts that he can turn one base into two, get on base, and play a good center field with his speed all helped his case.
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