NEW YORK (AP) — True to his baseball tools, speedy outfielder A.J. Ewing made a rapid rise through the farm system.
Whether he’s seasoned enough to spark the sagging New York Mets remains to be seen.
Called up by the Mets after just 12 games with Triple-A Syracuse, the 21-year-old Ewing made his major league debut Tuesday night against Detroit at Citi Field. Playing center field and batting eighth, he received a warm ovation before his first plate appearance and worked a seven-pitch walk from Tigers starter Jack Flaherty that loaded the bases with one out in the second inning.
“I’m confident in my ability and I’m just going to play the same game that I’ve been playing and just do what I do,” Ewing said in the Mets’ clubhouse before the game. “It’s awesome to be here and I’m ready to go.”
Desperate to spark a stagnant lineup, after he gained only 58 games of experience above High-A ball.
The high-priced Mets began the day ranked 29th among the 30 big league teams in batting average (.222), tied for last in runs (139) and stuck at the bottom by far with a .628 OPS. They had the worst record in the majors at 15-25.
Luis Robert Jr., the team’s opening-day center fielder, is with a lumbar spine disk herniation. New York is also missing star shortstop and first baseman because of injuries.
“The situation the big league club is in and the opportunity that’s here right now is certainly part of it. But we would not have made the decision to promote A.J. if we didn’t think he was ready for the moment,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said.
Utility player Andy Ibáñez was designated for assignment to open a roster spot for Ewing, who walked again in the sixth and stole second. He was the club’s second-ranked minor league prospect behind pitcher Jonah Tong,
The left-handed hitter was batting .326 with three doubles, a triple and four RBIs in 51 plate appearances at Syracuse. He had drawn five walks, stolen five bases and scored nine runs.
“There was a lot to like from the very beginning of spring training watching him play and go about his business. The energy, the passion, the smile, and then the tools. You know, the skill set that he brings. It was just eye-opening, to be honest with you,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said.
“Obviously, he can help you win baseball games in a lot of different ways. Defensively, baserunning. Offensively it’s a simple swing, simple approach, short to the baseball, uses the whole field. And the makeup of the player. Even though he’s only 21, he’s pretty mature and he’s super consistent. That shows us that, hey, let’s give him an opportunity here.”
Ewing stole 70 bases in 81 attempts combined at three minor league levels last year. He also played second base and both corner outfield spots in the minors, but Mendoza said the Mets will primarily keep him in center initially to help him acclimate to the majors.
Before the game, fellow rookie Carson Benge strolled through one area of the clubhouse with Ewing and pointed out a screen with the daily meeting schedule.
“Pretty well-rounded player right now. There aren’t a ton of holes in his game,” Stearns said. “And then there is this ability to handle different situations. He’s a pretty mature kid for a young player. He’s demonstrated that throughout his time in our system. That doesn’t mean this is going to go flawlessly for him.”
The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Ewing reached Double-A Binghamton last year, hitting .339 in 28 games, and batted .349 with a 1.053 OPS and 12 steals in 18 games at that level this season before getting promoted to Syracuse.
He was selected in the fourth round of the 2023 amateur draft out of Springboro High School in Ohio with the pick the Mets received for losing Jacob deGrom in free agency.
Ewing said his nerves were dissipating as game time approached. He said his father would be in the Citi Field stands Tuesday night along with some close family friends.
“As soon as I got drafted it was like a dream of mine to play here,” Ewing said. “I’m ready to compete.”
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