New York Mets rookie outfielder Carson Benge has earned a spot on the Opening Day roster and will start in right field Thursday, manager Carlos Mendoza announced Monday. The 23-year-old will make his major league debut in what marks the first true position player roster battle won by a Mets rookie since Pete Alonso in 2019.

Benge, ranked the sport's 18th-best prospect by The Athletic's Keith Law, hit .366/.435/.439 in 46 Grapefruit League plate appearances this spring. Mets officials praised his barrel control, consistent contact and ability to hold his own against left-handed pitching. Defensively, Mendoza noted that Benge gets solid jumps in the outfield and brings a strong arm, a trait developed during his two-way career at Oklahoma State.

The path to Opening Day was cleared methodically. The Mets traded Brandon Nimmo during the offseason to create outfield openings for younger players, moved Juan Soto from right field to left and failed to land Kyle Tucker in free agency. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns identified Benge as a legitimate roster candidate as early as November.

Benge joins Soto in left field and Luis Robert Jr. in center. Brett Baty and Tyrone Taylor round out the right field depth.

The selection carries some risk. Benge has logged just 24 Triple-A games and posted a .583 OPS in 103 plate appearances at Syracuse. He produced a strong .857 OPS across High-A, Double-A and Triple-A last season with 15 home runs and 22 stolen bases, but struggled upon reaching the highest minor league level.

Mike Tauchman's torn left meniscus, suffered in the final weekend of spring training, further secured Benge's roster spot.