Carson Benge’s calm through setbacks may give him unexpected advantage in Mets’ crowded right field fight

Carson Benge's stat line won't decide this race, but his response to adversity might. As the Mets look at their options in right field this spring, they are still looking for something beyond batting average or OPS. However, Benge's late-season struggles in Triple-A and quiet debut in the spring did not affect the confidence of the New York Mets. Instead, they reinforced it. In a clubhouse where it pays to be poised under pressure, the 23-year-old prospect's even-keeled mentality could quietly set him apart from the competition as Opening Day approaches.Benge dominated High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton during much of his first full professional season. Then followed the adjustment period in Triple-A Syracuse. He batted .174 with a .583 OPS to finish the year, numbers which stuck out for the wrong reasons. Inside the organization, however, evaluators were interested in the way he dealt with it. "Failure is what makes you grow," said Mets director of major league hitting Jeff Albert. Team officials believe Benge remained committed to his process as opposed to chasing results. That approach carried on to his spring debut. He went 0-for-3 on the Yankees and went down 0-for-2 on a ground ball that led to a double play, but coaches saw composure, not frustration. Senior VP of player development Andy Green praised Benge's ability to "keep it simple," which the Mets believe is key to breaking into the majors.The Mets are considering Benge against guys such as Mike Tauchman, Brett Baty, and MJ Melendez. President of baseball operations David Stearns has already indicated that Grapefruit League numbers alone won't determine the final decision. Moreover, Benge has an offer of defensive reliability, disciplined at-bats, and long-term upside. Teammates are raving about his full range of skills, while fellow prospect Ryan Clifford recently joked that he found it difficult to find anything Benge does not do well.Off the field, Benge remains grounded. He married his high school sweetheart after a long-term relationship started before he made his way up through the minors, through a constant presence as expectations increased. He has also attracted regional interest in endorsement related to his rising profile as a developing homegrown cornerstone. For the Mets, this decision is beyond March box scores. If Benge can keep dealing with pressure the way he dealt with the Triple-A adversity, his maturity could tip the scales, even if there's nothing jumping off the page of statistics.