The New York Mets have decided to call up Luisangel Jr., the younger brother of Atlanta Braves superstar outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. Luisangel is a 12th-ranked prospect who has performed well in Triple-A Syracuse. He’s sported a .654 OPS with a .258 batting average, seven home runs, and 40 stolen bases across 131 games.
SNY’s @PSLToFlushing confirms that the Mets are calling up Luisangel Acuña.@DanielAlvarezEE was the first to report the news.
Welcome to the show, Luisangel! 🗽 pic.twitter.com/bfSXG2lfs4
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) September 14, 2024
Mets Call Up Younger Brother of Braves Outfielder
What Acuña Has To Offer
It may be believed that the Mets are calling up Luisangel due to Francisco Lindor‘s back injury. But this isn’t precisely the case, as Lindor’s injury is minor. Whether Lindor will be going on the IL is still up in the air. The Mets have called up Luisangel because of his speed, 40 stolen bases, and skillful defense. Also, the Mets already planned to promote Acuna before the Lindor injury occurred. Promoting Acuna also provides the Mets with more versatility off the bench. The 22-year-old Venezuelan is still evolving as a hitter but is progressing and adapting into an elite athlete.
Acuna is the only healthy infielder the Mets can turn to on their roster. He will provide depth and much-needed insurance defensively. He still needs fine-tuning offensively at the plate, but with his young age, this is something he can continue to develop. The Mets are keen on his speed and defense, so they have decided he deserves a chance at the big league level. Luisangel told reporters that he cannot compare to his older brother’s talent but is going to put his best foot forward. Acuna was acquired in 2023 by the Mets through the Max Scherzer trade. Overall, his impact hasn’t been huge offensively in the minors, with a 69 wRC+ through 587 plate appearances. However, on a more positive note, he has showcased good plate discipline through solid contact skills. Acuna could also be valuable in the future for the Mets as he is a young prospect with a lot of promise.
Main Photo Credits: Jeff Miller / Special to the Press & Sun-Bulletin / USA TODAY NETWORK
