ATLANTA — A.J. Ewing was placed in the leadoff spot for the New York Mets for the first time on Friday, July 3, 2026. Interim manager Andy Green initiated the lineup change.

Ewing collected two hits in a 10-9 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, July 5, 2026. He hit a solo home run off Martin Perez in the third inning, marking the first of his career that he did not pull.

"What [Ewing] has done in his short stint in the big leagues, he's putting up a (.375) on-base percentage against right-handed pitching, that is incredibly rare for a rookie," Green said. He added, "It fits his long-term skill set: speed, grinds at-bats, shoots the ball around the yard and it also fits Carson to be a middle-of-the-order type guy."

Carson Benge, who had spent 50 games in the Mets' leadoff spot, moved to the No. 5 spot in the lineup behind Francisco Lindor. Green indicated he would reserve the right to reverse course but expressed belief in Ewing's abilities. "I always want to reserve the right to reverse course but certainly believe that when it comes to A.J.'s skillset, it's more of a very top-of-the-order type skillset and then in Carson's case, it's a middle-of-the-order type bat," Green said.

Ewing went 0-for-3 in his debut as the leadoff hitter on July 3, 2026, when the Mets lost to the Braves 5-3. He made his major league debut on May 12, 2026. Entering Sunday, July 5, 2026, the 21-year-old had a batting average of .259, an on-base percentage of .342, and a slugging percentage of .389 in 49 games. He had four home runs, 19 runs, and 19 RBI in those games.

Ewing posted a .372 on-base percentage against right-handed pitchers entering July 5, 2026, and slashed .300/.379/.478 in June 2026. He batted seventh against Martin Perez and pinch-hit against Chris Sale during the weekend of July 4-5, 2026. "Honestly, when I'm in the box, I try to take names out of it and just treat them as any other pitcher," Ewing said. "But I'm comfortable being at the top of the order, and I'm excited for that."

Ewing was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft. He was 17-of-18 on stolen base attempts in the minor leagues before his call-up and 8-for-14 in his major league career entering July 5, 2026.