Carson Benge makes NL Rookie of the Year finalist cut after second-half surge

Carson Benge did enough in September to put himself in the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s final Rookie of the Year ballot group, earning a National League Rookie of the Year finalist spot alongside Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart and St. Louis’ JJ Wetherholt.

BBWAA members voted for the award before the start of postseason play, and the league’s three finalists were described as the top vote-getters in the National League. Benge’s candidacy hinges on how voters weigh a “well-rounded” profile against a pure power-heavy season from Stewart and a strong glove-and-bat case from Wetherholt.

Benge’s season narrative starts with a slow beginning. After making the Mets’ Opening Day roster on the strength of spring performance, he hit an overall stumble early, including a May 3 morning showing of a.498 OPS. From that point forward, the release says he broke out and did not really struggle again.

Over the latter portion of the year, Benge’s production was described as both steady and multi-dimensional. After the early-season stretch, he was credited with a.302/.366/.462 line plus 20 doubles, 18 home runs, and 16 stolen bases. The piece also ties his run to late momentum, noting six multi-hit games in his last nine contests as he narrowed the gap with Stewart.

The comparison framed in the release sets up two different paths to votes. Stewart wound up with 32 homers and 112 RBIs, while Benge became the first Mets rookie to steal 20 bases and hit 20 home runs and finished with 4.3 bWAR. Wetherholt, meanwhile, led the NL rookie group in bWAR at 4.5 and is credited with a 17-homer, 14-steal season plus a.704 OPS.

The Rookie of the Year Award will be announced Nov. 9, meaning Benge is not yet a winner, but the finalist selection answers the central question of whether his late-season performance rose to the level required to reach the BBWAA’s top tier.