Watch a Simba Cam bring pure joy to MLB game
Fans at a New York Mets game were blessed with the Simba Cam, which encouraged people to lift their dogs into the air as “Circle of Life” played.
In an apt metaphor for just how upside-down this season has been for the New York Mets, the team with MLB’s highest payroll is hoping a minor-league prospect will help turn things around.
The Mets are set to promote outfielder A.J. Ewing to the roster after just 12 games at the Class AAA level, according to multiple media reports.
The 21-year-old Ewing, a fourth-round draft pick in 2024, is the team’s No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline.
He began the 2026 season at Class AA Binghampton (New York), where he hit .349/.481/.571 over 18 games. That earned him a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse in late April. Now, he’s set to join fellow rookie Carson Benge in the Mets outfield for Tuesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers.
Despite lofty preseason expectations, the Mets have fallen flat over the first quarter of the season, sporting a major league-worst 15-25 record through May 11 − their worst start since 1993.
During a just-completed nine-game road trip against the Angels, Rockies and Diamondbacks, the Mets hit a collective .209 and averaged just 3.6 runs per game.
And top hitters Juan Soto and Bo Bichette went a collective 0-for-20 during the final three games in Arizona.
Meanwhile, starting shortstop Francisco Lindor, center fielder Luis Robert, first baseman Jorge Polanco and pitcher Kodai Senga are all on the injured list.
“I mean, there’s no issues right here,” Soto said. “We’re all professionals. We all can handle this stuff. But definitely, we’re struggling a little bit right now.”
Ewing − a 5-foot-10, 160-pound outfielder − led the Mets organization with 70 stolen bases across three minor league levels last season. With his speed and excellent batting eye, he could be a candidate to lead off and set the table for an offense that could certainly use a spark.
