When a rookie makes a splash in his first two MLB games, the baseball world takes notice. That's exactly what Springboro graduate A.J. Ewing has done for the New York Mets, and manager Carlos Mendoza is making it clear: this young outfielder is here to stay.

"As of right now, the plan is to just keep him in the outfield, center field particularly," Mendoza told reporters after Ewing's debut. "We're going to let him get settled here." When asked if the left-handed hitter would be platooned with right-handed bat Tyrone Taylor, Mendoza didn't mince words: "He's going to play. He's here to play."

Ewing's arrival has been nothing short of electric. In his first game on May 12, the Mets rolled to a 10-2 victory over Detroit, with Ewing delivering a triple—his first career hit—along with two RBIs, two runs scored, a stolen base and three walks. That performance put him in rare company: he's one of just four Mets players ever to record a game with three walks, a triple and a steal. According to MLB statistical expert Sarah Langs, he's the first player since 1900 to debut with three or more walks, a stolen base and multiple RBIs.

But Ewing didn't stop there. In his second game on May 13, he helped the Mets edge Detroit 3-2 in extra innings. Starting the 10th as the ghost runner on second base, Ewing used his speed to score the winning run on a single to short center field by Carson Benge. While he went 0-for-3 at the plate—striking out three times against elite arms like Framber Valdez and future Hall of Fame closer Kenley Jansen—he still showed discipline by drawing a seven-pitch walk off Valdez in the fifth inning.

"I can't wait to do it again," Ewing said on SNY TV. "After my first at-bat when I walked, and I touched first base, then started looking around, that's really when it hit me."

For a player who grew up in Springboro, Ohio, this is a dream unfolding in real time. The Mets' social media has been buzzing with videos of Ewing's family and friends celebrating his historic debut. With Mendoza's vote of confidence and a skill set that blends power, speed and plate discipline, Ewing looks poised to become a regular fixture in the Mets' outfield—and a name to watch for the rest of the season.