The New York Mets aim for consistency this season, currently holding a 15-25 record and ranking last in the NL East division, 12.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves. Despite struggles among their star players, the team made a surprising move by promoting outfield prospect A.J. Ewing from the minor leagues after only 12 games with Triple-A Syracuse on Monday night.
The 21-year-old Ewing will join the roster before Tuesday’s series opener against the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field. At Syracuse, he was batting .326 with three doubles, a triple, and four RBIs in 51 plate appearances. He also drew five walks, stole five bases, and scored nine runs. As per MLB.com, the agile CF is ranked second as a minor-league prospect behind pitcher Jonah Tong.
Fans had mixed reactions to the team’s official announcement of Ewing’s promotion to the major league, especially given the disappointing run this campaign.
“This is a reactionary mistake to pump up an already dead offense,” one fan commented.
“Publicity stunt for a dying team. Trying to do everything they can to get butts in seats while they destroy the kid’s development. Typical Mets nonsense incoming,” another fan commented.
“Desperate circumstances –> desperate actions. Let’s see how he does, but I don’t think this is a good idea,” yet another fan commented.
Some other fans voiced concerns that promoting Ewing to the active roster after such a short tenure in the minor leagues could hamper his overall growth as a player. Another fan suggested that the ballclub should now stay committed to playing him regularly.
“I hope AJ Ewing has a successful career but I don’t think bringing him up now is the best long term for his continued development. Yes he did very well and deserved the promotions he got to A+ and AA but he’s only played 12 games in AAA. So calling him up seems rushed,” one fan commented.
“If they’re doing it then they MUST commit to playing him everyday, let him struggle, adjust, whatever happens. Enough w/lefty/righty bs, enough PHing scrubs like Brujan & Ibanez. There’s literally nothing left to lose, the szn is gone. Do not treat him & Benge like bench players,” another fan commented.
“Kid barely played in AAA yet and they think he’s gonna magically hit top pitching on the Mets now? No. And it’ll hurt his progress and mentality for the future,” yet another fan commented.
The Mets Have Called Up a Versatile Outfielder in A.J. Ewing
Ewing has experience playing second base and both corner outfield positions. Last year, he reached Double-A Binghamton, batting .339 in 28 games. This season, he hit .349 with a 1.053 OPS and 12 stolen bases in 18 games at that level before being promoted to Syracuse.
The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Ewing, a left-handed hitter, was selected by the Mets in the fourth round of the 2023 draft out of Springboro High School in Ohio. The team will need to create a 40-man roster spot for him on Tuesday. The Athletic was the first to report the decision to bring Ewing to the majors.
New York will open a six-game homestand with a three-game series against the Tigers, followed by the first Subway series of the season against the New York Yankees.
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