New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Springboro graduate A.J. Ewing will be a regular part of the lineup going forward after his impressive MLB debut May 12.
“As of right now, the plan is to just keep him in the outfield, center field particularly.” Mendoza told reporters May 12. “We’re going to let him get settled here.”
When asked if platooning the left-handed batting Ewing with a right-handed bat like Tyrone Taylor will be a part of his acclimation process, Mendoza said on SNY TV: “He’s going to play. He’s here to play.”
Ewing helped the Mets to another win in his second Major League Baseball game May 13, as the Mets beat Detroit, 3-2. He scored the winning run in the 10th inning on a single to short center field by Carson Benge with one out. Ewing started the inning on second base as the ghost runner and easily reached home plate with his speed.
Ewing was 0-for-3, striking out three times against elite starter Framber Valdez and likely Hall of Fame closer Kenley Jansen, who is third all-time in career saves. He drew a seven-pitch walk off Valdez in the fifth inning and was stranded at second.
Ewing had a noteworthy debut May 12 in the Mets’ 10-2 win over Detroit. He had one hit, a triple, two runs batted in, two runs scored, a stolen base and three walks.
He is one of four players in Mets history with a game of three walks, a triple and a stolen base. He is the first Met to have his first career hit be a triple. According to MLB statistical expert Sarah Langs, Ewing is the first player since 1900 to make his debut with three or more walks, a stolen base and multiple RBIs. The Mets posted a lot of videos from the night on their social media accounts of family and friends celebrating.
“I can’t wait to do it again,” Ewing said on SNY TV. “After my first at-bat when I walked, and I touched first base, then started looking around, that’s really when it hit me.”
The Mets host Detroit again at 1:10 p.m. May 14.
According to Mets beat reporter Max Goodman, Ewing’s triple was hit at 104.2 MPH.
“Very impressive ABs across the board. Discipline just outside the zone. Short, compact swing. Elite speed. A lot to like,” Goodman posted on X.
Ewing, 21, was drafted by the Mets out of high school in 2023. At 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, he bats left and throws right, and plays center field and second base. He was hitting .339 in 30 games between Double-A and Triple-A with 17 stolen bases when he was called up.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mets manager says Springboro grad will play a lot after stirring start
Reporting by James Weber, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
