NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 12: A.J. Ewing #9 of the New York Mets looks on during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field on May 12, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
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Rookie outfielder A.J. Ewing is delivering dynamic Major League Baseball skills to the New York Mets starting lineup.
A left-handed hitter, Ewing has become the New York Mets starting centerfielder.
Ewing has blazing speed, excellent hitting skills, and plays very credible defense. Those are major tools and skills to help as a regular contributor to the Mets lineup.
Ewing, 21, made his Mets debut May 12, against the American League’s Detroit Tigers.
Ewing went 1-5 in the game, smoking a triple, scoring two runs, knocking in two runs, and stealing a base.
Ewing’s debut set the table for things to come.
Here is what mlb.com said about Ewing’s debut in their headline: “Ewing puts up the kind of MLB debut not seen in at least 126 years.”
That’s saying something.
In his first six games, Ewing had five hits in 17 plate appearances. He hit a home run against the Detroit Tigers May 14, and stole two bases in that six game introduction to the big leagues.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 12: A.J. Ewing #9 of the New York Mets reacts during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field on May 12, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
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About New York Mets A.J. Ewing:
Ewing was drafted by the Mets in the 4th round of the 2023 draft. He was a a compensatory draft selection, chosen as the 134th overall player taken in the draft.
Ewing was selected out of Springboro High School, in Springboro, Ohio.
MLB.com showed that Ewing was given a signing bonus of $675,000, which was above the Major League Baseball recommended amount of 483,000 for that slot.
Ewing hit .464, with 37 RBIs as a senior in high school. He had planned to attend Wright State University in Ohio, but later changed to the University of Alabama.
His plans to play college baseball evaporated when Ewing was drafted, and signed with the Mets.
Ewing was drafted out of high school as a shortstop.
It is not unusual for an excellent athlete such as Ewing, with great speed and outstanding baseball acumen to shift to the outfield; and more specifically, to centerfield.. It happens quite a bit.
In his brief stint so far with in the Mets organization, Ewing has played second base, left field, center field, and right field. But so far, he has stuck to playing centerfield with the parent club.
It was Ewing’s blazing speed, his hit tool, and his excellent defensive abilities that caught the eye of the New York Mets.
New York Mets center fielder A.J. Ewing (9) warms up before a baseball game against Detroit Tigers, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
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Scouting New York Mets A.J. Ewing:
Here’s an interesting exchange about Ewing: Mets Director of Player Development, Andrew Christie, and JT Schwartz, a Mets farmhand were discussing A.J. Ewing. “Damn, A.J is so twitchy, man. He’s so twitchy.” To which, Christie said, “He’s a freak athlete.”
Ewing is 5-10, 160 pounds, which is a fairly common physical profile for a middle-infielder or centerfielder.
Without question, excellent speed is Ewing’s most prominent and advanced tool. He can track down balls in the outfield, steal bases, take an extra base, and use his speed as a disruptive force against the opposition.
He flashes explosiveness on the bases and on defense.
Speed isn’t Ewing’s only skill. He also has the ability to hit for a solid MLB batting average.
With a slight crouch and hands held high, and a slight leg lift,, Ewing has good pitch recognition, and excellent bat-to-ball skills. He profiles to be a good contact hitter, with the ability to hit the gaps, and take off running. He’ll be tough to catch when he generates a head of steam on the bases.
Defensively, Ewing can help the Mets by playing either center or second base. In a stretch, he could probably fill in briefly at shortstop, but his arm strength is average, at best.
There is no question that Ewing’s speed helps him get to balls other outfielders may see fly over their head, or hit the wall.
amny said this about Ewing: “The youngster is remarkably level-headed, imploring that he does not have to change one iota of his game to make it in the majors.”
Through games of May 18, 2026, Ewing is hitting .304, with a .467 On Base Percentage, and .989 On Base Percentage + Slugging in 31 plate appearances.
Scouting Grade for New York Mets A.J.Ewing: Grade 55
Ewing is an above average major league quality player. His speed, his solid defense, his good hit tool, and his hustle make Ewing a great addition to the parent New York Mets club.
If there is one reservation, it may be a lack of power from a rather average frame.
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 20: A view of the New York Mets logo on their uniform during the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
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Conclusions regarding New York Mets A.J. Ewing:
Ewing has tremendous speed, and ability to impact New York Mets games with his speed, quality hit tool, and an ability to make things happen.
In the battle of baseball teams in New York, the New York Mets have an exciting prospect outfielder to keep pace with any rookie publicity generated by the New York Yankees.