The New York Mets are giving an opportunity to an undrafted outfielder who has impressed with his speed and production in independent baseball over the past two seasons.
The Lake Country DockHounds announced on social media that outfielder JT Benson has signed with the Mets, though the team has not yet officially confirmed the deal.
Benson is expected to report to the Mets’ minor league spring training before likely being assigned to one of their affiliated minor league teams for the 2026 season.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a strong 2025 campaign with the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League, posting a .295/.412/.477 slash line in 80 games while stealing 24 bases in 26 attempts.
His ability to get on base and create havoc on the basepaths has made him an intriguing developmental prospect.
Benson originally joined the DockHounds of the American Association of Professional Baseball in 2024 after completing a strong college career at Louisville Cardinals baseball.
In 27 games that season, he batted .286 with a .385 on-base percentage and a .418 slugging percentage before being traded to Evansville in May 2025 for a player to be named later.
During his final collegiate season at Louisville, Benson led the Atlantic Coast Conference and ranked seventh in the nation with 34 stolen bases in the regular season.
Despite posting career-best numbers—including a .302 batting average, 13 doubles, nine home runs, 41 RBIs, and 52 runs scored—he surprisingly went undrafted before beginning his professional journey in independent baseball.
