OSU Baseball: A Projected First-Round Pick, Where Carson Benge is Predicted to Go in MLB Draft

Carson Benge shouldn’t have to wait long Sunday night to learn his MLB destination.

The MLB Draft starts at 6 p.m. Sunday with the first two rounds, compensatory rounds, Competitive Balance Rounds and prospect promotion incentive selections. The first night will be broadcasted on ESPN. The 20-round draft will ultimately last until Tuesday, with plenty of Oklahoma State players getting their name called, but Benge is predicted to be the first to go — and early — as the No. 18 prospect in this class, according to MLB.com.

Benge was a two-way star at OSU, excelling at the plate and on the mound. He hit 335 at the dish while posting a 3.16 ERA as the Cowboys’ closer before finishing last season as a starter. Although exceptional in all aspects of the game, Benge will most likely play outfield in the pros, though. His scouting report on MLB.com says Benge has “third-round upside” as a pitcher, but he’s a first-round talent as a hitter and outfielder.

According to that MLB.com scouting report, Benge got an overall grade of 55 out of 80 as a prospect, rating him as an average prospect but close to reaching the above average threshold of 60. His top attribute is his arm, graded at 60, while almost everything else but run is 55. His running ability is his lowest grade at 50. You can see Benge’s scouting report here.

Considering those attributes and Benge’s potential, here is where some sites predict Benge to go Sunday night.

The Athletic: No. 19 to the New York Mets

Benge going to the Mets has been the most common prediction leading up to the draft. He would actually join another former two-stay for the Cowboys in Nolan McLean, who has been compared to Shohei Ohtani recently while coming up. McLean did everything when at OSU, and the Mets continued to let him do it all in their organization, so Benge might get the same opportunity if he goes here.

MLB.com: No. 17 to the Milwaukee Brewers

This is currently the highest prediction for Benge, going two spots before the Mets’ selection. MLB.com lists Benge only as an outfielder going to Milwaukee.

Bleacher Report: No. 18 to the Tampa Bay Rays

This is the most frequent prediction as of late, which is perfectly fitting considering where he’s ranked as a prospect. Although the Mets have seemed to be after Benge, Bleacher Report has the Rays snagging Benge right before the Mets are able to.

SportingNews: No. 18 to the Tampa Bay Rays

Again, Benge to the Rays with the 19th pick. According to SportingNews, the Rays haven’t used a first-round pick on an outfielder since 2015, but his arm and defense make Benge hard to resist here.