The New York Mets' farm system just got a whole lot more exciting, and his name is A.J. Ewing. If you haven't heard of this 21-year-old prospect yet, you will soon. Currently tearing it up with Triple-A Syracuse, Ewing is not just fast on the basepaths—he's one of the fastest-rising stars in all of baseball.
Let's talk about that speed. Last season, only four other players in the Minor Leagues swiped more bags than Ewing. But what's truly electric is how quickly he's climbed the ladder. Just over a year ago, he was starting his second full season with Single-A St. Lucie. Fast forward 13 months, and he's already knocking on the door of the big leagues at Triple-A.
To put his rise in perspective: Baseball America ranked him the No. 24 prospect in the Mets' system before the 2025 season. Now? He's vaulted to No. 37 on their overall top-100 list. That's the kind of trajectory that gets scouts and fans alike buzzing.
What makes Ewing special isn't just the raw talent—it's the consistency. Triple-A hitting coach Nate Irving, who also worked with Ewing in Double-A last summer, can't say enough about his mentality. "He's the same exact person from last year to this year," Irving told reporters. "He goes about his business the same way. He has intent with everything he does. He has a really advanced level of feel and self-awareness for his age. That doesn't come around too often."
Ewing, who can play both outfield and second base, is putting up numbers that are hard to ignore. Since the start of last season, he's slashing .323/.414/.448 across 150 games, with 86 stolen bases and 111 runs scored. And he's only getting hotter. Through 27 games this season, he's hitting .354 with a .997 OPS, 16 steals, and 24 runs—including a walk-off base hit just this week.
While he's not a finished product yet, Ewing is showing all the signs of a player destined for the majors. As Irving put it, "He has an incredible tool set that he knows how to deploy pretty consistently. He can get on base. He can run. The tools are there for him to be a very valuable player right now."
For Mets fans and baseball lovers, keep an eye on No. 37. This rising star might just be the next big thing to wear the orange and blue.
