NEW YORK — In a thrilling Opening Day spectacle at Citi Field, New York Mets rookie Carson Benge made an unforgettable major league debut by smashing a home run in his fourth plate appearance, powering his team to an 11-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. The 23-year-old outfielder, who won the right-field job during spring training, not only provided the fireworks with his first career hit but also contributed two walks and a stolen base, helping the Mets set the tone for the 2024 season before a sellout crowd of 41,449.
Benge's homer came in the sixth inning against Pirates reliever Justin Lawrence, an 82 mph sweeper that he launched over the right-field fence. "I kind of blacked out running around the bases. I don't really remember too much," Benge said afterward. "I know I got it good off the bat." As he rounded first base, the excitement got the better of him, leading to shouts and jumps of joy that energized the stadium.
Selected 19th overall by the Mets in the 2024 amateur draft out of Oklahoma State University, Benge enters the league as one of the organization's top prospects. Rated the Mets' second-best prospect and No. 16 overall in baseball by MLB Pipeline, he was a two-way player in college alongside Mets pitcher Nolan McLean. His debut performance lived up to the hype, especially considering the challenging matchup against Pittsburgh's ace, reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes.
Benge's first at-bat didn't go as planned; he struck out swinging on three fastballs from Skenes, all clocked between 96 and 98 mph. "Just calm down," he recalled telling himself. "Just like, deep breath, calm down. Great atmosphere, great fans, just trying to bring myself back down so I can compete." He whiffed again in the third inning but rebounded with a walk and a run scored in the fifth, showing resilience in his big-league baptism.
The homer joined Benge with Kazuo Matsui as the only Mets players to go deep in their major league debut on Opening Day, the latter doing so in April 2004 against Atlanta. Teammate Bo Bichette praised the moment: "It was awesome. He let it out rounding first, too." After crossing home plate, Benge high-fived his teammates and emerged for a curtain call, greeted by roaring fans. "I kind of saw everyone just like standing, and I just didn't know what to do," he admitted. "So, it worked out."
Francisco Alvarez followed Benge's blast with a monster shot to the second deck in left field, marking back-to-back homers from the bottom of the Mets' lineup and extending the lead. "It was amazing. The crowd was the loudest I've ever heard, times five. So being able to hear that was pretty sick," Benge said of the atmosphere. He later received the souvenir ball, which he plans to give to his parents to ensure it doesn't get lost among his 22 family members and friends in attendance, including his parents and girlfriend.
Before the game, Benge described his pre-game nerves: "Definitely anxious to get out there, ready to start playing. Definitely everything I thought it was going to be." Mets manager Carlos Mendoza wasn't surprised by the rookie's poise. "Who he is is super consistent," Mendoza said. "I'm not surprised by it because of the personality there. Opening Day, first big league game for him, packed house and he just goes out there and plays his game."
Benge wasn't the only newcomer shining for the Mets. The team, bolstered by offseason acquisitions, saw significant contributions from several fresh faces. Freddy Peralta, a two-time All-Star obtained from the Milwaukee Brewers in January, earned the win in his New York debut by striking out seven and walking none over five innings on the mound.
Tobias Myers, acquired in the same trade with the Brewers, provided solid relief with three innings of one-run ball. Offensively, Bichette delivered an early sacrifice fly in the first inning that helped chase Skenes after just one frame. He later battled through a grueling 13-pitch at-bat before striking out, showcasing the grit that defined the Mets' attack.
Luis Robert Jr. chipped in with a pair of RBI singles, while Jorge Polanco reached base three times and Marcus Semien collected two hits. Despite the lopsided score, the Mets played clean defense, committing no errors and issuing zero walks. Bichette, transitioning to third base, and Polanco at first base handled their new positions flawlessly. "It's awesome. I mean, everybody's trying to get their feet wet," Bichette said. "It was really cool. It's an exciting team. We have the potential to win a lot of games, and we'll just try to build off this and learn each other, build camaraderie, all that kind of stuff."
The Pirates, meanwhile, struggled early as Skenes exited after the first inning, unable to find his rhythm against the Mets' lineup. Pittsburgh mounted a comeback with seven runs, but New York's depth proved too much. The win marks a strong start for a Mets squad looking to rebound from recent seasons, with Benge's debut symbolizing the influx of young talent.
This Opening Day victory sets an optimistic tone for the Mets, who open the season with high expectations following key trades and draft picks. Benge's performance, in particular, highlights the promise of the 2024 draft class, with his two-way background adding intrigue to his future role. As the team heads into a full schedule, including upcoming series against divisional rivals, the focus will be on integrating these newcomers seamlessly.
Looking ahead, the Mets face the Pirates again on Friday, providing Benge another chance to build on his debut. With a blend of veterans and prospects, New York aims to contend in the National League East. Mendoza emphasized the team's unity: the errorless play and error-free pitching underscore a foundation for success. For Benge, the debut homer is just the beginning, a storybook start in a career full of potential.
In the broader context of Major League Baseball's Opening Day, the Mets' win stands out amid a slate of exciting matchups. Across the league, rookies and trades alike made impacts, but Benge's feat—homing in his fourth at-bat—will be remembered as one of the highlights. As fans settle into the season, all eyes remain on how this young Mets core develops.