Inside The Mets

Is This Top Prospect Playing His Way Onto Mets' Opening Day Roster?

Luisangel Acuña's impressive season in the Venezuelan Winter League may earn him a roster spot for the Mets in 2025.

Logan VanDine

Oct 18, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pinch runner Luisangel Acuna (2) leads off first base during the eighth inning of game five of the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Oct 18, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets pinch runner Luisangel Acuna (2) leads off first base during the eighth inning of game five of the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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After an impressive showing during the last few weeks of the 2024 regular season, top prospect Luisangel Acuña may be playing his way onto the New York Mets' Opening Day roster in 2025.

Acuña, who was traded to the Mets from the Texas Rangers for All-Star starting pitcher Max Scherzer at the 2023 trade deadline, has put up head-turning numbers in the Venezuelan Winter League this offseason.

In 32 games, the 22-year-old is batting .337 with three home runs, 17 RBI, and an impressive .914 OPS, while swiping 18 bases for good measure. New York's top prospect is also showcasing his versatility on defense, as the young star has played second base, shortstop, and center field.

These stats this winter shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as Acuña made quite the first impression in the major leagues. Despite struggling in Triple-A, the youngster was called up last September to temporarily replace an injured Francisco Lindor; in 39 at-bats, he batted .308/.325/.641 with two doubles, a triple, three home runs, and six RBI in 14 games.

Acuña's offensive success in the Venezuelan Winter League is a great sign for the Mets to see; based on these performances, it's becoming increasingly apparent that his brief, successful stint in the big leagues was no fluke. The next step for Acuña is to replicate this success again at Spring Training, which may effectively force the Mets to consider putting him on the Opening Day roster.

Regardless of when the Mets decide that their emerging 22-year-old phenom is major-league ready, he will figure heavily in the team's plans next season and beyond, especially with Jeff McNeil coming off a disappointing and injured-riddled 2024 season. If McNeil opens the 2025 season struggling on offense, it shouldn't be long before Acuña takes over the role as the team's primary utility man.

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Logan VanDine
LOGAN VANDINE

Logan is a graduate of Rider University where he majored in Sports Media and minored in Sports Studies. During his time at Rider, Logan worked for Rider's radio station, 107.7 The Bronc as a sports host, producer and broadcaster, and for the school's paper: The Rider News. He began his time with The Rider News as a section writer for sports and was a copy editor for two years followed by being one of the sports editors during his senior year. Logan also placed third in the New Jersey Press Foundation Awards for sports feature writing. Aside from his work on Yankees and Mets On SI, he is also a writer for FanSided covering the New York Giants and Mets and also covers the Giants for Total Apex Sports.

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