Former Evansville Otter Signs With New York Mets

If the arrival of spring and the return of baseball season is the proverbial sundae for Evansville Otters fans, then this story has got to be the cherry on top! A former Otters ballplayer is getting his shot at the show – and by “the show” I mean the big leagues!

From Historic Bosse Field to the Mets Organization

Former Otters outfielder J.T. Benson has officially signed with the New York Mets organization. For fans who watched Benson play at Bosse Field last season, it’s no surprise that a big opportunity like this came his way.

Benson's Impressive Stats as an Evansville Otter

The Louisville native joined the Otters during Opening Weekend last season and quickly made his mark. In his second professional season, J.T. appeared in 80 games for Evansville and put together an impressive stat line. He finished with a .295 batting average – which was second-best on the team – while racking up 84 hits. He also had 20 doubles, a triple, and 10 home runs.

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But his game wasn’t just about power. J.T. showed off his speed, leading the team with 24 stolen bases, and his discipline at the plate, leading the team with 45 walks. That combo of speed, patience, and consistent hitting clearly caught the attention of scouts.

Another Otters Player Reaches An MLB Organization

With this signing, J.T. becomes the 97th player in Evansville Otters history to move on to an MLB organization after wearing an Otters jersey. It’s another great reminder that big-league dreams can start right here in Evansville.

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If you’re excited for baseball season, you won’t have to wait much longer. The Otters open the 2026 season on May 7 against the Florence Y’alls at historic Bosse Field.

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Single-game tickets, season tickets, and group packages are available now at EvansvilleOtters.com. It’s the perfect time to start planning a night at the ballpark. And who knows? The next future big-leaguer could be playing right here in Evansville!