Rookie Nick Morabito taking inspiration from Carson Benge, A.J. Ewings ascension into his Mets return

ST.PETERSBURG, Fla.

— Nick Morabito didn’t have to look far Tuesday to comprehend the possibilities.In one corner outfield spot would stand Carson Benge, with A.J.Ewing beside him as the starting center fielder.

Both rookies have established themselves with the Mets this season and have become woven into the team’s future.Don’t miss Mike Puma’s text messages from Queens and beyond — he’s giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Mets.

It’s plenty of inspiration for Morabito, another rookie outfielder with aspirations of never returning to the minor leagues.“It’s super cool and comforting,” said Morabito, who gave the Mets a completely rookie outfield in their 6-2 loss to the Rays.“I played with those guys in the minor leagues and I’m tight with them.

To see their success … I am hoping just to bring more of it here.”The 23-year-old Morabito, who went 0-for-1 and was hit by a pitch before being pinch hit for by Mark Vientos in the seventh inning, was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on the first day of expanded September rosters.In a stint with the Mets earlier this season, he appeared in five games and went hitless in 11 at-bats.He brings much the same skill set as Benge and Ewing: an athletic player who will contribute defensively and with baserunning, beyond whatever production arises from his bat.“I feel like I play a similar game to them,” Morabito said.

“They’re just very exciting players.”Over 114 games this season for Syracuse, he has posted a .254/.355/.388 slash line with 13 homers and 42 stolen bases.A second-round pick in the 2022 draft, he is rated as the Mets’ No.

13 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.“I think he understands who he is pretty well right now,” interim manager Andy Green said.“It’s speed, it’s defense, it’s get on base.

It’s play the outfield as aggressively as those other two young guys we have got out there.“I just want him to play baseball like he has his whole l...