Mets sign speedy 23-year-old outfield prospect

Mar 14, 2026 - 02:00

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Mets sign speedy 23-year-old outfield prospect

The New York Mets are taking a flier on an undrafted outfielder who burned up the independent minor league basepaths the last two years.

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The Lake Country DockHounds announced Thursday on social media that outfielder JT Benson signed with the Mets.

The Mets have yet to announce the contract, which will likely see Benson report to the team’s minor league spring training camp before he is assigned to an affiliated club for the 2026 season.

Benson, 23, slashed .295/.412/.477 in 80 games for the Evansville Otters of the independent Frontier League in 2025. He stole 24 bases in 26 attempts.

In 2024, Benson signed with Lake Country of the independent American Association after finishing an impressive collegiate career at Louisville. He slashed .286/.385/.418 in 27 games for the DockHounds.

In his final college season with the Cardinals, Benson led the ACC and ranked seventh nationally during the regular season with 34 stolen bases. He went undrafted despite hitting .302 with 13 doubles, nine home runs, 41 RBIs and 52 runs scored, all career highs.