Luisangel Acuña received the call to The Show.
The 22-year-old prospect joined the Mets on Saturday from Triple-A Syracuse, SNY’s Joe DeMayo confirmed. The Mets announced the move prior to their game against the Phillies, with DJ Stewart being sent down to make room for Acuña, who was penciled in as the starting shortstop and batting ninth.
The decision to recall Acuña comes on the heels of Francisco Lindor leaving Friday’s 11-3 win over the Phillies in the seventh inning with back soreness. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said it was not the sole reason they called up Acuña, but it helped solidify it.
“We thought it was important to get a little more infield depth,” Stearns said on Saturday. “I think with Lindor’s tweak yesterday, now is the right time.”
Acuña, acquired in a trade with the Rangers last season and rated seventh on SNY’s Mets prospects rankings, has spent the entire 2024 season in Triple-A. His biggest strength is his speed – swiping 40 bases in 131 games this season.
At the plate, he hit .258/.299/.355 with seven home runs, 50 RBI and a .654 OPS.
“I just want to help as much as I possibly can,” he told reporters prior to Saturday’s game. “Whether it’s baserunning, hitting, defense, I’ll be there to help the team.”
Both Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza stressed Acuña’s versatility as a big part of his role in the final few weeks of the season.
“The fact he put himself in this position, we’re all proud of him,” Mendoza said. “Days like today he’ll get the start. Days I wanna give [Jose] Iglesias an off day. But the versatility: pinch runner situations, he can play center field. I do feel really comfortable with that extra player who can provide versatility.”
Added Stearns: “Just the overarching skillset he presents. He can impact the game on both sides of the ball. We really like players like that…we’re excited for him to get a taste of his first major league action.”