Carson Benge and Spencer Jones: Stars in the Making in New York

Carson Benge’s Swing Fix: By closing his stance and reducing head movement, Benge improved his bat speed and balance. His batting average vs. 95+ mph fastballs jumped from .284 in the first half to .389 in the second half (fourth best in MLB).,Historic Rookie Season: Benge joined Jackson Chourio (2024) and Ken Boyer (1955) as the only first-year players in NL history with at least 17 home runs and 22 stolen bases.,Spencer Jones’ Velocity Adjustment: After hitting just .034 on pitches 95+ mph through early August, Jones slashed .421/.821 on such pitches since then, thanks to elite bat speed and a calm approach.,Defensive and Baserunning Impact: Both players are plus defenders with strong arms. Benge is a premier defender and base stealer; Jones has impressed in center field, earning praise from manager Aaron Boone.,Manager Endorsements: Mets manager Andy Green noted Benge’s ability to hit all pitches to all fields, while Yankees manager Aaron Boone highlighted Jones’ calm confidence and subtle in-game adjustments.

### The Mechanics Behind the Turnaround

Carson Benge entered the season with excessive head movement that led to swing-and-miss issues. He closed his stance, moved his head closer to the plate, and rotated around his core instead of dipping forward. The result: a longer, more balanced stroke geared toward pulling the ball with power. Data from Sports Illustrated shows his swing length increased from 6.4 to 6.7 frames, while his attack direction shifted from 4° opposite field to 1° opposite field, indicating more pull-side power.

Spencer Jones faced a different challenge: pitchers attacked him with high fastballs due to his extreme swing tilt. After struggling mightily (.034 BA on 95+ mph through Aug. 7), he made a quick adjustment. His otherworldly bat speed allowed him to catch up to elite velocity, and his subsequent .421 average on those pitches ranks among the best in the league.

### Historical Context Benge’s 17 HR and 22 SB put him in rare company. Only Jackson Chourio (2024) and Ken Boyer (1955) achieved that feat as first-year players in the National League. Jones, meanwhile, has shown reverse splits, slugging .705 against lefties, making him a valuable everyday option.

### Why This Matters These adjustments demonstrate that rookie struggles are not permanent. Both players identified specific mechanical flaws and corrected them midseason, a skill that separates future stars from one-hit wonders. For Mets and Yankees fans, these developments signal a bright future for their respective outfields.

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Sources: - [MLB.com – The distance behind Carson Benge's home run](https://www.mlb.com/mets/video/the-distance-behind-carson-benge-s-home-run-x9873?ref=yanuki.com){:target="_blank"} - [Sports Illustrated – Carson Benge and Spencer Jones Are Stars in the Making in New York](https://www.si.com/mlb/carson-benge-mets-star-in-the-making-amid-lost-season?ref=yanuki.com){:target="_blank"} - [SNY – Mets' Carson Benge's extraordinary all-around play becoming commonplace](https://sny.tv/articles/mets-carson-benge-extraordinary-play-becoming-commonplace?ref=yanuki.com){:target="_blank"}