The Mets ensured at least a .500 or better record on September 13 after a dominant win against the Phillies. The win kept the Mets in the third NL Wild Card spot. With the Mets in a fight for a playoff spot, the team will reportedly call for a reinforcement from Triple-A, in infielder/outfielder Luisangel Acuna. Acuna’s call-up will be his first, and it’ll come a little over a year after the Mets acquired him.
A Look at Acuna
Mets infielder prospect Luisangel Acuna has baseball bloodlines. His father, Ron, was a Minor League in the Mets system. His older brother, Ronald Acuna Jr., is a former NL MVP. Acuna, originally signed by the Rangers, is a different player from his brother.
Acuna was signed by the Texas Rangers in 2018, in what was a loaded international class. Acuna’s new teammate Francisco Alvarez, Noelvi Marte, and Orelvis Martinez were among some of the notable names. Acuna flashed athleticism and pop in the Rangers system in full-season ball in 2021 and 2022, becoming a top name. Texas flipped Acuna in July 2023 for Max Scherzer.
The 2024 campaign has been solid for Acuna, who will leave the International League as the league leader in hits (141). Acuna batted .258/.299/,355 with six home runs, 33 extra-base hits, and 40 stolen bases. That stolen base figure was second-best in the IL, behind Brewer Hicklen.
As noted earlier, Luisangel is a very different player compared to Ronald Jr. Luisangel is shorter; he’s 5’8” and about 180 pounds, not as big compared to Ronald Jr.’s (6’0”. 205 pounds) stature. He doesn’t have plus natural pop, as he’ll likely tap out at average as best. Acuna’s ISO (.097) at Triple-A was the seventh-lowest in the circuit.
However, Luisangel is an incredible athlete with plus speed and enough contact skills to be an above-average hitter. The swing isn’t too long and Acuna will make contact often.
There are questions about his patience at the plate. Acuna took just 3.43 P/PA in Triple-A and he walked 5.5% of the time. Given those numbers, Luiangel could be more of a bat that could slot in the bottom half of a team’s lineup, unless he can tweak his approach to get on base more.
Defensively, Acuna has plus speed, an asset when it comes to positional range. The 22-year-old spent most of 2024 at short. But, Acuna also received 30+ starts at both second base and center field.
El Extrabase reported Luisangel Acuna’s promotion to the Mets.
Analysis
It seemed like a stretch to think Acuna would make it to the Mets as a September call-up in late August. Acuna was not tearing it up in Triple-A, while the Mets had second base well fortified with Jeff McNeil and Jose Iglesias. Iglesias has been a spark plug for the Mets thanks to his enthusiasm, defensive prowess, and ability to hit lefties. Heading into play on September 13, Iglesias batted .368/.434/.485 against left-handed pitchers.
Things have changed. The Mets lost McNeil in early September thanks to a wrist fracture, which opened the door for newcomer Eddy Alvarez. Now, the Mets add a dynamic infielder in Acuna, who can change games with his speed.
Acuna may be a long-term option for the Mets, although not at short with Francisco Lindor. But in the interim, Acuna gives the Mets’ infield a bit more depth for the stretch run.
Fantasy Outlook
Acuna has stolen base potential and his low walk rate is not much of a concern in traditional roto leagues. The more pressing question, though, is how much Acuna will play from here on out. Will the Mets use Acuna as a regular or a player who will be used off the bench as a pinch-runner, with the occasional start here and there?
Acuna has some but not a lot of value in mixed leagues over the last few weeks. And if the Mets choose to use him sparsely, that value will go down.