Mets Prospects Jonah Tong, Carson Benge Poised for Triple-A Openers

Multiple prospect roundups have placed Jonah Tong and Carson Benge among the names "most likely to begin the year at Triple-A (or to be close to promotion depending on spring results)," a designation that drives how the Mets will staff Syracuse and the big-league depth chart this spring.

Jonah Tong’s rise is stark and measurable. The 22-year-old former seventh-round pick in 2022 posted a 1.43 ERA while striking out a minor league–best 179 batters over 113.2 innings, then made his major league debut at the end of August, appearing in five games and posting a 7.71 ERA. Those 179 strikeouts and the 1.43 ERA are the backbone of the argument that he should open 2026 in Triple-A as refinement continues; teams also flagged that "while the results were not ideal, Tong still showed flashes of what makes him so special," and the organization declined to include him in trade conversations this offseason.

Carson Benge presents a different kind of roster puzzle. The left-handed hitting outfielder, listed at 6-1 and 184 pounds and age 23, was the Mets’ 2024 first-round pick at No. 19 and signed for $3,997,500 against a $4,219,200 slot figure. Benge was a two-way player at Oklahoma State who "gave up pitching when he signed," then made a mechanical tweak at the plate; "He really took off last year after making a small adjustment at the plate to stop rolling his front ankle," a change scouts singled out as unlocking more power.

Where Benge actually played last season is the primary inconsistency in the public record. One set of professional notes shows a Low-A assignment to St. Lucie with a 15-game line of .273/.420/.436, two home runs and three stolen bases in a brief pro debut. A separate season summary credits him with moving rapidly through the minors and "finishing the year at Triple-A Syracuse after posting a combined .281/.385/.472 slash line. He added 15 home runs and 22 stolen bases," a full-season stat line that cannot coexist with the 15-game Low-A sample. Prospect tables also vary, with Benge appearing among the club’s top two prospects in organizational lists while other previews project he could start 2026 in the majors.

Camp coverage has amplified the stakes. Benge has been the subject of headlines that highlight a three-hit day and pose the question "Will Benge break camp?," while camp video shows Tong and Benge together in a Wednesday spring training game at Clover Park and features Tong working on his mechanics and catching with Nolan McLean in drills. The organization has been signaled to give Benge a genuine shot at right field this spring, with one report noting, "Mets President David Stearns has made it clear in prior comments that Benge will be given every opportunity to earn the right field job out of spring training."

Practical roster decisions hinge on verification of assignments and service time. Verify whether Benge’s listed 15 home runs and 22 stolen bases reflect a full pro season that ended at Triple-A Syracuse or whether his documented Low-A sample is the accurate record. Confirm Tong’s option and service time status to determine whether he is listed at the major-league level or is headed to Syracuse as starting depth. Those checks will determine whether Syracuse opens with Tong and Benge as the primary options or whether one or both begin as immediate MLB depth.

Spring results and roster moves will decide it. Watch Benge’s timing on the right-field beat and Tong’s command of breaking stuff; whatever happens at Clover Park and in the March cuts will make Syracuse and the Opening Day roster much clearer.