Carson Benge's highlight-filled rookie year earned him second place in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, falling behind Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart for the honor.
Benge garnered first-place votes from seven of the 30 BBWAA voters, and earned 107 points overall, ahead of St. Louis’ JJ Wetherholt. Stewart earned 20 first-place votes, and 170 total points.
Entering September, Benge seemed like a long shot to top Stewart, who wound up with 32 homers and 112 RBIs. Only 15 rookies in Major League history have gone 30-100 in those categories, and the last eight of them before Stewart -- a group that includes Pete Alonso, Aaron Judge, Albert Pujols and Mike Piazza -- all won Rookie of the Year.
But Benge -- who hit .282 with a .776 OPS, 20 homers, 65 RBIs and 22 steals -- proved to be more of a five-tool player. His best weapon was his arm, which allowed him to lead the NL with 10 outfield assists as a right fielder.
In addition to becoming the first Mets rookie to steal 20 bases and hit 20 home runs, Benge joined Alonso as the only ones to record at least 4.0 bWAR. He finished with 4.3, just behind Wetherholt (4.5) for the NL rookie lead.
Two other Mets rookies earned votes as well. Right-hander Nolan McLean finished fourth in the voting with 70 total points -- including earning six second-place votes -- while center fielder A.J. Ewing earned one fifth-place vote.