Carlos Mendoza Reveals Why Mets Didn't Call Up Exciting Prospect

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza explained the thinking behind not calling up a thrilling young prospect.

Aug 14, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) watches from the dugout prior to the game against the Oakland Athletics at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

September 1 each year marks when MLB teams expand from their current 26-player rosters to 28 players for the rest of the regular season.

For the New York Mets, this meant calling up two veteran players: left-handed reliever Alex Young and utilityman Pablo Reyes.

These decisions came as a surprise to many because Mets manager Carlos Mendoza had appeared to hint at a promotion for Luisangel Acuña (who's New York's No. 12 overall prospect) when saying that the Mets, "will value speed and versatility in deciding who to call up" in a recent interview.

But Acuña didn't get the call after all.

And Mendoza revealed why when speaking with the media before Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox.

"In that particular case, I think it's just playing time," Mendoza said of New York promoting Reyes instead of Acuña, per SNY. "For Acuña, he's just got to continue to play. Like I said, there's not gonna be many starts here and it's important for his development to continue to play every day."

The 22-year-old Acuña is hitting .265 with a .676 OPS, 7 home runs, 86 runs scored, and 36 stolen bases in 120 games with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets this season.

Due to Acuña's versatility and speed on the basepaths, the initial thought was that he could be an asset late in games as a baserunner or defensive replacement. But the powers that be clearly wanted to prioritize him getting at-bats in the minors and continuing to develop.

"And again, we've still got a month to go here," Mendoza added. "A lot can change here."

"For Acuña, he's just got to continue to play. There's not gonna be many starts here and it's important for his development to continue to play every day"

Carlos Mendoza was asked about the Mets calling up Pablo Reyes over someone like Luisangel Acuña: pic.twitter.com/PTVELJhbq3

— SNY (@SNYtv) September 1, 2024

Based on that, it sounds like Acuña will remain in the conversation to get called up in the coming weeks.