Juan Soto Praises Mets’ Ewing and Benge for Their Daring Defense

Juan Soto may not be celebrated for his glove work, but he certainly appreciates stellar defense when he witnesses it firsthand. Recently, he has been treated to a showcase of exceptional plays from Mets rookies A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge, whose fearless approach has left fans and teammates in awe.

“They’re great,” Soto remarked, highlighting their tenacity. “They call each other psychopaths. It’s crazy how hard they go into the wall and run around the field. It’s incredible. It’s really fun to watch.”

In Sunday’s dominant 10-1 victory over the Marlins, Ewing once again stole the spotlight with a jaw-dropping play. In the fourth inning, with two runners on and no outs, he sprinted back to the wall and leaped to rob Connor Norby of a potential run-scoring extra-base hit. His hard crash into the wall showcased not only his athleticism but also his commitment to making the play.

Despite the impact of the collision, Ewing assured everyone he was fine. “I feel great,” he said, reflecting on the play’s aftermath. “The wall has a good amount of give. I think I could run into that thing at 30 mph and be all right. I won’t try it, but I like the odds.” His fearless attitude is a testament to why the Mets were high on him as he ascended through the minor leagues.

Fellow rookie Benge shares a similar fearless spirit, nearly making a diving catch in right-center during the game. Soto has taken note of their fearlessness, choosing to treat them as equals rather than adopting a mentor role. “I don’t try to be a mentor,” Soto explained. “I try to be one of them. They are a part of this. It’s the first time for them being in the big leagues.”

While Ewing and Benge may not yet match Soto’s offensive prowess, they have still made significant contributions. Benge, following a three-hit game on Saturday, got on base twice on Sunday, including hitting a leadoff homer—his fourth of the season and his first against a left-handed pitcher.

Though Ewing has struggled at the plate recently, with no extra-base hits in his last dozen games and racking up 17 strikeouts in that span, he managed to walk and score a run in the win. But it is their defense that has been a game-changer, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. “Part of the reason the pitching staff is having this success is they’re making the plays in the outfield,” he noted.

Marcus Semien, who plays second base, provided a unique perspective on Ewing and Benge’s skills. “A lot of those balls are hit over my head and feel like doubles and triples, and they run them down,” he said. “Their talent is through the roof. Experience is how they get better.”

With Ewing’s acrobatic play behind him, he expressed his determination to continue making such daring efforts. “Having gone into the wall like that and being OK, I’m even more confident about doing it,” he stated. “I’m definitely not gonna be afraid of it.”

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.