Watch out, because there’s a rising star in Triple-A Syracuse who’s starting to make some serious noise, hinting at a possible jump to the majors sooner rather than later.
Luisangel Acuña, the promising second baseman acquired by the Mets from the Texas Rangers during last year’s trade deadline in exchange for ace Max Scherzer, has recently been tearing it up in the minor leagues.
Over his last 14 games, Acuña has been batting .296 with one homer and seven RBIs, including a powerful three-run shot in Sunday’s match for Syracuse.
Despite a slow offensive start to the minor league season, the 22-year-old has caught fire at the plate lately. Consequently, the Mets might consider giving him a shot in the major leagues, especially if current second baseman Jeff McNeil continues to struggle with his hitting. McNeil, a former batting champion and two-time All-Star, has only managed a .242/.317/.341 slash line with a .658 OPS in 26 games, a far cry from his usual performance.
If Acuña gets the call-up, he would likely take over second base duties, moving McNeil to left field. However, this could weaken the Mets’ defense, with Harrison Bader likely benched and Brandon Nimmo shifting to center field. Bader has also been performing well, hitting .275/.301/.338 with a .639 OPS in 22 games.
It’s possible Acuna could contribute to the Mets this season, as he been heating up in Syracuse
pic.twitter.com/vlNsWtT7vz— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) April 29, 2024
Alternatively, the Mets could opt to use Bader sparingly to avoid exacerbating his injury history, while McNeil transitions into a utility role, possibly replacing Joey Wendle. This setup would allow Bader to continue as the everyday center fielder, with Nimmo staying in left.
If Acuña maintains his impressive form and McNeil’s struggles persist, the Mets may find themselves compelled to promote their top prospect to inject some life into their offense. Acuña’s defensive prowess and speed on the base paths, coupled with his solid hitting, could make him a valuable addition to the team, potentially forming a dynamic double play partnership with shortstop Francisco Lindor. If Acuña keeps up his stellar performance in Syracuse, a call-up could be imminent.
