Luisangel Acuña: Rising Star with Versatile Potential
On Thursday at Grapefruit League Media Day in Jupiter, Fla., Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns discussed the intriguing case of Luisangel Acuña. Ostensibly, Acuña is in the mix to win the second base job out of spring training, but it would be an upset if Jeff McNeil doesn’t start. However, Acuña’s late-season performance while filling in for the injured Francisco Lindor caught the eye of the organization. Acuña’s speed, defensive skills, and overall tools make him a player worth watching for the 2025 Mets.
Acuña’s performance in the majors, performing consistently at a higher level than he did in Triple-A, is particularly noteworthy. "It is unusual when a player reaches the major leagues and consistently performs at a higher level than he performed at in Triple-A," Stearns said. "He wasn’t scared by the moment, and he showed up and performed at a high level from day one." While Stearns emphasizes that Acuña is still a developing player, his defensive prowess is undeniable. "The defense is real, and he played at a very high level when Lindor was out. We didn’t miss a beat defensively, and I thought that was really impressive," Stearns added.
Jett Williams: Focused on Health and Growth
Another young player catching the attention of the Mets is Jett Williams. Likely to start the season back in the minors, Williams is in big league spring training, and he will get reps at second base. Stearns emphasized the importance of health for Williams, who missed most of the 2024 season due to a wrist injury. "First off, health. Priority one is let’s have a healthy season that allows him to get 550 plate appearances," Stearns explained. "That would be outstanding. I’m pretty confident that if we have a healthy season that allows him to get 550 plate appearances, we’re gonna see a player who’s gonna continue to grow, move up the ladder a little bit, and put himself in a position where people are actually starting to talk about him as a major league option."
Williams’ eventual position in the majors could be either second base or center field, but the Mets are not ruling out continued reps at shortstop. "We think he can play both second and center at a high level. He hasn’t had the reps there yet, but he has all the skills and tools to be able to do it. So I do think we’re gonna try to get him a few more reps at both those positions this year," Stearns said. The team envisions Williams as a player who can play the three premium positions—shortstop, second base, and center field—at an average or better level, a rare and valuable skill set.
Luisangel Acuña’s Bench Potential
If Acuña does not unseat McNeil, there is a possibility he could make the Opening Day roster as a bench player. Acuña’s versatility, including his ability to play second base, third base, shortstop, and some outfield, makes him a valuable asset. While it might be beneficial for Acuña to get consistent at-bats in Triple-A Syracuse if he isn’t in a full-time major league role, Stearns did not rule out the potential that Acuña could be on the bench from the start. "I think that’s a discussion we’re gonna continue to have throughout camp, and it’s a possibility," Stearns said. "He’s in that competition, he’s part of that competition. But we’ve got a lot of time to make that decision, with a lot of things that can happen between now and then before we make that decision. So we’ll answer that when we need to at the end of camp."
Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez: Potential Extensions
Speaking about the Mets’ established younger players, such as Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez, Stearns revealed that the team has explored extensions with some of them. These discussions highlight the organization’s commitment to retaining young talent and building a sustainable future. "I think that’s something always to explore, with younger players who are having success in the major leagues who want to be here," Stearns noted. "I think that’s something I’ve done previously in my career. It’s something we have explored here with some of our younger players over the past year and a half since I’ve been here."
While Stearns did not specify which players are part of these discussions, he emphasized that these conversations can extend over multiple years without a set deadline. "Those are the types of discussions that can be ongoing. They can travel over multiple years because there’s no real deadline to get anything like that done. So there’s often a prolonged back-and-forth in some of those types of discussions with younger players, and I imagine we’ll continue to have those," he said.
The Path Forward
The Mets are in a unique position with a blend of experienced veterans and promising young talent. Acuña and Williams represent the future, with their potential to impact the team in multiple roles. Stearns’ openness to exploring extensions with younger players like Vientos and Alvarez underscores the team’s long-term vision and commitment to building a strong, competitive roster. As spring training progresses, the competition for roster spots will intensify, and the decisions made will shape the 2025 Mets. Fans and observers alike will be watching closely to see how these young stars develop and contribute to the team’s success.
A Bright Future on the Horizon
The Mets’ focus on developing their young players and exploring potential extensions with key prospects demonstrates a forward-thinking strategy. Acuña’s defensive prowess and versatility, coupled with Williams’ potential to play multiple premium positions, suggest a bright future for the organization. As the team continues to balance the needs of immediate competitiveness with long-term sustainability, the contributions of these young stars will be crucial. Whether on the bench or in the starting lineup, Acuña and Williams have the potential to make significant impacts, and the Mets are committed to giving them the opportunities and support they need to thrive. The 2025 season promises to be an exciting one, with a blend of experience and youth poised to lead the Mets to new heights.
