Mets select OF Carson Benge and LHP Jonathan Santucci on day one of the 2024 DRAFT

FLUSHING, N.Y., July 14, 2024 – The New York Mets selected outfielder Carson Benge (#19) and LHP Jonathan Santucci (#46) on day one of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft.

“We were able to select two potential impact players on the first day of the draft that were high on our board,” said Vice President, Amateur Scouting Kris Gross. “Benge is a supremely athletic player who can do nearly everything on the baseball field. Santucci, a left-handed starter, has several weapons including a mid-90s fastball and a power slider. We are thrilled that both players were available for us.”

Benge, who recently completed his sophomore year at Oklahoma State University, hit .335/.444/.665 with 18 home runs and 64 RBI in 61 games. The 6-1 outfielder was a finalist for the 2024 Dick Howser Trophy as well as the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award. He was named a 2023 Freshman All American and was a two-time First Team All Big 12 selection (2023 and 2024). On the mound, the right-hander posted a 3.16 ERA with 11 walks and 44 strikeouts in 2024. The native of Yukon, OK attended Yukon High School and as senior went 8-1 with 124 strikeouts and hit .490 to lead his team to the Class 6A State Tournament.

Santucci, a left-handed starter from Leominster, MA, recently completed his junior season at Duke University. In 2024, he was named an All-ACC First Team Starting Pitcher as well as to the Golden Spikes Midseason Watch List. The 6-2, 205-pounder posted a 6-1 record with a 3.31 ERA, striking out 90 batters and holding opponents to a .188 batting average in 2024.