Mets name Carson Benge Player of the Year, Jonah Tong Pitcher of the Year
Benge's breakout across three minor-league levels and Tong's strikeout surge earn organizational honors; both to be recognized at a pregame ceremony
The New York Mets on Monday honored outfielder Carson Benge as the organization’s Player of the Year and right-hander Jonah Tong as Pitcher of the Year after breakout seasons in the minor leagues.
Benge, 22, produced a .279/.380/.460 slash line with 13 home runs, 68 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 110 games spanning Single-A Brooklyn, Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. The club’s No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, Benge represented the Mets in the All-Star Futures Game and is ranked as MLB’s No. 20 prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Tong, also 22, recorded a 1.43 ERA with 179 strikeouts across 113 2/3 innings in 22 starts between Binghamton and Syracuse. A seventh-round selection in the 2022 draft, Tong was promoted to the Mets in late August and has started three major-league games for the club.
Both players are scheduled to be recognized during a pregame ceremony Wednesday at Citi Field. The Mets will also honor longtime amateur scout Marlin McPhail, who is retiring after 39 years with the organization.
The awards underscore a productive season for the Mets’ upper minors. Benge’s combination of on-base ability, emerging power and speed helped him rise quickly through three levels in 2025, while Tong’s high strikeout total and sub-1.50 ERA highlighted his run through Double-A and Triple-A and prompted his late-season call to the big-league staff.
Francisco Lindor was once again named the Mets’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, Major League Baseball’s top humanitarian honor. Lindor has been the team’s nominee for three consecutive seasons. Through his foundation, he awards scholarships and participates in meet-and-greets for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; those efforts have helped raise roughly $44,000 over the past four years, the team said.
On the major-league roster, the Mets provided an update on Tuesday’s game plan, saying left-hander Sean Manaea is scheduled to pitch in a piggyback role behind closer Clay Holmes for the series opener against the San Diego Padres. Manaea’s prior appearance out of the bullpen this season came July 13 in Kansas City, when he piggybacked Holmes and allowed one earned run on five hits over 3 1/3 innings.
The organization’s announcements reflect a focus on cultivating depth from within the farm system as the Mets balance immediate roster needs with long-term player development. Benge and Tong’s promotions and awards come amid continued evaluation of the club’s pitching and outfield options as the offseason and 2026 roster planning approach.