Mets' Luisangel Acuna: Will get look at third base
Rotowire
Acuna is expected to compete for the Mets' third-base job during spring training, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Assuming Pete Alonso moves on -- which is the expectation -- Mark Vientos will slide to first base, creating an opening at third. Acuna has never played the hot corner in pro ball, but he's a capable defender at shortstop and second base and the Mets evidently feel he can handle the switch. Slated to turn 23 in March, Acuna slashed .308/.325/.641 in 14 regular-season games for the Mets in 2024, although that was after he managed a .258/.299/.355 line at Triple-A Syracuse. The Mets would probably prefer to give him more seasoning at Syracuse, but Acuna will get a chance to compete with Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio (knee) for reps at third base with the big club.
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Mets' Luisangel Acuna: Goes yard again Saturday
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Acuna went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and a solo home run in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Phillies.
The 22-year-old has been on fire since getting promoted last weekend, batting .385 (10-for-26) in his first eight big-league games with six extra-base hits, including three homers. Acuna's power display is especially impressive considering he hit only seven home runs in 131 games at Triple-A this season. Francisco Lindor (back) should return to the lineup any day now and reclaim the starting job at shortstop, but with a playoff spot on the line, the Mets could keep Acuna's red-hot bat in the lineup at another position.
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Mets' Luisangel Acuna: Another strong game
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Acuna went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and two total runs scored in Wednesday's 10-0 win over the Nationals.
This was Acuna's third multi-hit effort in five major-league games, and he has homered in consecutive contests. He's filled in admirably at shortstop while Francisco Lindor deals with a back injury. If Acuna continues to hit well, he could push for playing time somewhere else once Lindor returns, though he'll have to stay hot at the plate with the Mets in the thick of the wild-card race.
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Mets' Luisangel Acuna: Shines as Lindor replacement
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Acuna went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two additional runs in Tuesday's 10-1 win over the Nationals.
Though Jose Iglesias assumed leadoff duties for the second game in a row while the Mets' usual table setter, Francisco Lindor (back), was on the bench, Acuna stepped in at Lindor's usual spot at shortstop. The rookie made the most of his second career start, providing a spark at the bottom of the order and matching Iglesias' output with three hits. After an MRI revealed no structural damage to his back, Lindor said that he anticipates returning to the lineup later this week, so Acuna may not have many more chances to build on Tuesday's excellent performance.
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Mets' Luisangel Acuna: Officially promoted
Rotowire
The Mets recalled Acuna from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.
With a .654 OPS at Triple-A, Acuna should be considered unlikely to force his way into the regular lineup as he reaches the majors for the first time in his career, but he's proven to be a similar threat on the basepaths to his older brother, Ronald. The 22-year-old will take the place of DJ Stewart on the active roster and give the Mets some versatility while Francisco Lindor deals with a back injury.
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Mets' Luisangel Acuna: Makes cameo off bench Saturday
Rotowire
Acuna (foot) came off the bench and went 0-for-1 while playing four innings at shortstop Saturday in Triple-A Syracuse's 7-1 loss to Columbus.
Acuna was scratched from the lineup ahead of Thursday's game versus Columbus due to a foot injury, and while he has yet to return to the starting nine, his ability to enter the game off the bench Saturday suggests he'll avoid a trip to the 7-day injured list. The 22-year-old infielder is hitting .262/.311/.357 with five home runs and 31 stolen bases over 98 games with Syracuse this season.
Acuna will miss at least two weeks with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Acuna suffered the injury during High-A Hickory's season opener Friday. As long as the injury remains a fairly short-term problem, it shouldn't significantly set his development back this season.
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Rangers' Luisangel Acuna: Expected to start 2022 in High-A
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Acuna is expected to open 2022 at High-A Hickory, according to Baseball America.
He got off to a terrible start last season, so his final batting line (.266/.345/.404) at Low-A doesn't jump off the page. That said, Acuna was only 19, and he ended up hitting 12 homers and swiping 44 bases, with his 10.4 percent walk rate offering some promise as well. He'll likely never develop the power that his brother, Ronald, has shown off in the majors, but Luisangel is flashing plenty of promise in his own right. It's not unreasonable to think that a big 2022 could get him on the radar for a promotion sometime in 2023.
