AJ Ewing Broke Mets Rookie Stolen Base Record

The rookie outfielder surpassed a franchise record that stood for 45 years.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Baseball

Expressionist illustration of a baseball player in blue and orange uniform sliding into a base, rendered in a gestural painting style. — New York Mets rookie AJ Ewing set a new franchise record for stolen bases in a single rookie season with 25 swipes during 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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AJ Ewing has set a new New York Mets rookie record with 25 stolen bases during the 2026 season. He surpassed the previous mark of 24, held by Mookie Wilson since 1981.

Why it matters

The achievement highlights the impact of the rookie outfielder since he joined the major league roster mid-season. His speed has become a defining component of his debut performance in Queens.

Ewing finished the 2026 season with 25 stolen bases, narrowly beating the record of 24 set by Mookie Wilson in 1981. During his debut campaign, he also recorded a .257 batting average with 10 home runs and 40 RBI.

The players

AJ Ewing

He is a New York Mets outfielder who established himself as a key rookie contributor during the 2026 season.

Mookie Wilson

He is a former professional baseball player who previously held the Mets rookie stolen base record for decades.

The details

Ewing began his professional progression this year with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies before receiving a promotion to the major leagues in May 2026. He also saw action in 12 games for the Triple-A Syracuse affiliate prior to establishing himself in the Mets lineup.

Mookie Wilson set the previous rookie record in 1981.
AJ Ewing joined the New York Mets in May 2026.
Ewing broke the Mets rookie record during the 2026 season.

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Season Trajectory

Ewing's emergence provides a necessary spark for the New York Mets as the franchise assesses its long-term roster construction. This record-setting pace complicates the team's depth chart decisions for next year by proving the viability of aggressive base-running as a core strategy.

Ewing's speed profile significantly boosts his value for fantasy rosters and provides the Mets with a reliable lead-off or bottom-of-the-order threat. His final season stats of 10 home runs and 25 steals offer a balanced offensive outlook for future lineup projections.

The takeaway

The record-breaking season cements Ewing as a centerpiece for the team's future development. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see if he can maintain this level of base-stealing frequency in his sophomore campaign.