The 2023 New York Mets were an expensive, experienced team that quickly suffered the rigors of the long season and were forced to sell.
One of the players they traded was pitcher Max Scherzer.
The return?
Luisangel Acuna, the brother of Ronald and a very solid prospect in his own right.
Acuna needs development time but is already 22 and closing in on the big leagues.
He was off to a slow start in 2024, though, putting some cold water onto fans’ expectations.
However, he appears to be adjusting and is back on the right track after his early-season slump.
The numbers, presented by SNY Mets, show it.
Luisangel Acuña’s first 30 games with Triple-A Syracuse: .214 AVG (27-for-126), .267 OBP, .592 OPS. Acuña’s last 18 games: .329 AVG (26-for-79), .372 OBP, .815 OPS,” they tweeted.
Luisangel Acuña’s first 30 games with Triple-A Syracuse:
🔸 .214 AVG (27-for-126)
🔸 .267 OBP
🔸 .592 OPSAcuña’s last 18 games:
🔸 .329 AVG (26-for-79)
🔸 .372 OBP
🔸 .815 OPS pic.twitter.com/BMvzZa4DdX— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 29, 2024
His overall stat line in Triple-A is still down, affected by those ugly opening 30 games.
He is hitting .259/.308/.371 at the level, with a 74 wRC+.
As a reminder, the league average is 100 so he still has a long way to go.
However, he finally appears to have solved Triple-A pitching.
He needs to show it for a much longer period of time but if he truly has, there could be a few MLB at-bats for him this season with the Mets.
The team will take it easy with him: he is, after all, one of their most prized prospects.
There is a lot of talent here, though, and an enticing power-speed profile that might one day yield a 15-40 season if all goes well, with solid contact and plate-discipline numbers.
