SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The Syracuse Mets lost last night, 7-4, to the visiting Buffalo Bisons, but one Mets star shined at the plate.
Luisangel Acuña, the fifth-ranked prospect in the Mets’ farm system, had a big night. He went 2-for-4 at the plate with an infield single, a stolen base, and a home run.
Dick Scott, manager of the Syracuse Mets, had high praise for the second baseman’s performance.
“He’s a good player, and he’s been playing very well,” said Scott in his office postgame. “He brings a lot to the table here [in Syracuse].”
Acuña is also known to Mets fans as the brother of Ronald Acuña Jr., outfielder for the Atlanta Braves and the reigning National League MVP. Luisangel was signed in 2018 by the Texas Rangers in the hopes that Ronald’s younger brother had the same upside.
Scott says, however, Acuña wants to be known as Luisangel — not Ronald’s brother.
“Luis wants his own identity, and he has that,” said Scott. “The other guy’s the reigning MVP… I think Luisangel just wants to be his own guy, his own big-league player.”
Scott says Acuña’s ability to run paired with his powerful bat make him a threat on any roster, and his abilities have been on full display for the past few weeks.
Acuña, in the first 10 games of the season, got off to a slow start, batting .143 in that stretch. Since then, Acuña has improved that average to .259 by getting hits in 31 of his last 38 games.
Scott says his improvement is due to a mental adjustment at the plate.
“His at-bats are starting to slow down,” said Scott. “He’s taking good, aggressive swings… He’s a really exciting player.”
Acuña and the Mets have another five games against the Bisons before heading up to Saint Paul, Minnesota for a series with the Saints.
