Feb 22, 2024; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Luisangel Acuna (73) poses for a photo during media day. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports Jim Rassol
The New York Mets throttled the Phillies 11-3 in Friday's series opener, and are looking to get a boost after promoting one of their more hyped prospects before Saturday's game.
Luisangel Acuña has been promoted from Triple-A Syracuse prior to Saturday's game. Outfielder D.J. Stewart was optioned by the Mets. Beyond being one of the most notable prospects in New York's system, Acuña is, of course, the younger brother of reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr.
The #Mets will call up Luisangel Acuña -- New York's No. 12 prospect and the younger brother of Ronald Acuña Jr. -- ahead of Saturday's game against the #Phillies, a source tells https://t.co/0dfSeCyNRD: https://t.co/q7BslrvNsu pic.twitter.com/61ZDWscAE8
Luisangel is a 22-year-old with experience at both middle infield positions, along with center field. The Mets acquired him from the Texas Rangers last summer when they traded future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer to the eventual World Series Champions. Acuña hit .258 at Triple-A this season with just a .654 OPS, so he doesn't appear to have the offensive upside of his older brother. With that said, he drove in 50 runs and stole 40 bases at Triple-A, so he definitely seems to be a Major Leaguer.
The Phillies will get an extended look at the younger Acuña early in his MLB career. Not only are they hosting the Mets for the remainder of the weekend, but they will travel to Citi Field for a four-game set next weekend. The Phillies are currently seven games up on the Mets in the NL East, and it would take an all-time collapse for the Mets to pass them in the division race. With that said, the 81-66 Mets are currently a game up on the Atlanta Braves for the final Wild Card spot in the NL, and just a game back of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the No. 2 seed. There's a very real chance that the Phillies will see the Mets in the postseason.
