NEW YORK -- Seeking an offensive spark, the Mets are calling up one of their top position player prospects in years after only 12 games at Triple-A Syracuse.
The team selected outfielder A.J. Ewing prior to Tuesday's series opener against the Tigers, in which he will bat eighth and play center field in his MLB debut. Utility man Andy Ibáñez was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot.
Ewing is the Mets' second-ranked prospect and their top position-player prospect, now that Carson Benge has graduated from prospect status. Some scouts who watched Ewing play in Spring Training believed him to be a superior offensive player than Benge.
He has demonstrated exactly that sort of potential over 12 games at Syracuse, batting .326/.392/.435 with five stolen bases. That came after Ewing hit .349/.481/.571 over 18 games at Double-A Binghamton to earn an early-season promotion.
A fourth-round Draft pick in 2023, Ewing led the organization with 70 stolen bases over three Minor League levels last season. He was caught just 11 times. Ewing's speed, combined with his history of gaudy on-base percentages, make him a potential leadoff hitter at the highest level.
For now, he will simply try to help spark an offense that scored just five runs in three games over the weekend in Arizona. Ewing is capable of playing all the outfield positions, in addition to second base. He figures to slot into the outfield mix in Flushing right away, alongside Benge and Juan Soto.
Ibáñez, 33, was used as a right-handed platoon bat in his three-game stint with the Mets, going hitless in eight plate appearances.