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We’ll see if Luisangel Acuña ultimately winds up in the major leagues before the end of the month, but for now, Jose Iglesias will get most of the playing time at second base in the wake of Jeff McNeil’s injury.
And DJ Stewart was added to the Mets’ roster before Sunday’s game with the visiting Reds, instead of the highly-anticipated Acuña, one of the Mets’ best prospects.
In explaining the decision, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Acuña, acquired last year from Texas in the Max Scherzer trade, was “in the conversation” for a call-up.
But the Mets manager added, “I feel like Iglesias is going to get most of the opportunities here. And, kind of going back to when the roster expanded, we need Acuña to continue to play.
“I think the development is important for him and, right now, there’s not going to be much playing time. It’s still fluid…But he’s playing well and the fact that he continues to be in the conversation, that says a lot, how far he’s come in his development.
So Acuña, 22, stays at Triple-A, which might be the best place for him right now. He wouldn’t be the starting second baseman for the Mets in McNeil’s absence, so further everyday play in the minors seems like the smart call for his development, rather than a tour as a potential pinch-runner or sub as the Mets vie for a playoff spot.
There’s a difference between the Mets’ situation and the one making headlines across town involving the Yankees and their non-call-up of their own highly-touted prospect, Jasson Dominguez. Dominguez could be a starting outfielder for the Yankees in place of the struggling Alex Verdugo for a team that sure looks like it could use a jolt.
Acuña would be more of a spare part for the Mets. Is that really worth taking a developing player away from regular reps? Probably not.
Stewart has not exactly bashed his way into prominence in his chances this season, but he’s a lefty hitter who at least impacts the Mets bench as an option for a righty-heavy team. Acuña bats right-handed and they already called up a sub-type in Pablo Reyes, who owns big-league experience.
OMG, everybody, Iglesias has brought so much to the Mets this season beyond just that catchy song. He deserves this chance, even if he didn’t start the season in the majors. He entered Sunday batting .316 with an .806 OPS in 65 games for the Mets, including a .386 average with runners in scoring position.
Iglesias, 34, spent all of 2023 in Triple-A and, as Mendoza noted, “he could have gone home (retired).” The Mets were interested, asked him to make some adjustments to his game and Iglesias was willing to start the season in Triple-A again and try to earn a spot.
“He was a really good player and saw good results, but he was really a good teammate,” Mendoza said. “I remember talking to Dickie Scott (the Triple-A manager) and he said, ‘If you need someone, this guy’s special, not only what he’s doing on the field, but the impact he’s making on our young players in (Mark) Vientos and some of those guys and we saw it right away.
“And, man, he’s been unbelievable, not only on the field, but off the field. And the influence, not only on the younger players, but on some of our established players, and the joy and everything that comes with it.”
Acuña, who is in his first exposure to Triple-A, has been hitting lately. But he’s hardly dominated the level with an overall slash line of .261/.301/.362 and an OPS of .663 entering Sunday. He has 33 extra-base hits in 126 games and has stolen 38 bases in 51 tries. The season goes until Sept. 22 – let him play regularly til then and continue to develop.
You want Acuña to get exposure to the big-league environment? Maybe the Mets can bring him up to hang out after the minor-league season is over.
There’s plenty of time for Acuña, maybe even later this month, it doesn’t have to be right this minute.
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