Spring training isn’t about winning games — it’s about getting players ready for the long, grueling season ahead. It’s also a time for prospects to make impressions on big league coaches and teammates. New York Mets No. 5 prospect A.J. Ewing did just that in the club’s spring opener against the Miami Marlins on Saturday.
Mets Prospect A.J. Ewing Impresses Carlos Mendoza in Spring Opener
Ewing made his presence felt late in the game, contributing on both sides of the ball. The 21-year-old entered in the sixth inning, replacing Tyrone Taylor in center field. In his second at-bat, with the bases loaded, Ewing jumped on an up-and-in fastball from Marlins right-hander Nigel Belgrave and sent it into center field. Nick Lorusso raced home to score, resulting in the Mets‘ and Ewing’s first run batted in of the spring.
The outfielder didn’t have to wait long to show off his defense. After a throw toward second base sailed into center field from catcher Kevin Parada, Marlins right fielder Colby Shade tried to stretch the mistake into an extra base. Ewing quickly charged the ball, gathered it cleanly, and fired a strike on one hop to third baseman Kevin Villavicencio, who took over for Bo Bichette, and applied the tag on Shade before he could reach the base.
“There’s a lot to like,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He looks like a hitter at the plate and then the defense. Made a couple of good plays, great jumps. I think there’s a lot to like here. The reads off the bat, but just his ability to give you a really good at-bat from the left side.”
Carlos Mendoza talks about what he’s seen from A.J. Ewing in camp:
“There’s a lot to like. He looks like a hitter at the plate and then the defense. Made a couple of good plays, great jumps. I think there’s a lot to like there. The reads off the bat, but just his ability to give… pic.twitter.com/ac0o9Oy3fb
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) February 21, 2026
Ewing, a fourth-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, has reached as high as Double-A in his young career. Last season was a big one for him. Across three levels, he slashed a sparkling .315/.401/.419, with 10 triples and 70, yes, 70 stolen bases. Ewing is expected to open 2026 back at Double-A Binghamton.
“The speed obviously is there,” Mendoza said. “I’ve been pretty encouraged about the way he’s looked so far, and today was a perfect example of that.”
Main Photo Credit: © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images