By admin 
Luisangel Acuña, the New York Mets’ newly promoted shortstop, is making an immediate impact in his Major League debut.
Filling in for Francisco Lindor, who was sidelined due to back tightness, Acuña was called up from Triple-A Syracuse and has wasted no time proving his value. In Tuesday’s dominant 10-1 victory over the Washington Nationals at Citi Field, the 22-year-old put on a stellar performance, going 3-for-4 with his first career home run and two RBIs. Acuña’s performance was just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.
Acuña’s first home run in the majors was a powerful shot, and he knew it right away. In the eighth inning, he blasted the ball 414 feet to left-center field off Nationals left-hander Joe La Sorsa, with an exit velocity of 103.2 mph. As the ball left the bat, Acuña confidently started his home run trot, blowing a bubble with his gum, tossing his bat, and pointing toward his teammates in the dugout. The moment marked a significant milestone in the young player’s career and highlighted his ability to rise to the occasion in key moments.
Upon returning to the dugout, Acuña was greeted by his teammates, including Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, and Jose Quintana, for the now-famous “OMG” celebration, a tradition the Mets have embraced this season. This light-hearted moment further underscored how quickly Acuña has integrated himself into the team’s culture.
A Versatile Addition to the Mets’ Roster
Acuña’s contributions to the Mets go beyond his offensive abilities. He brings defensive versatility, capable of playing both middle infield positions as well as center field. This flexibility gives the Mets multiple options as they navigate the remainder of the season. Additionally, Acuña provides a valuable speed threat on the base paths. In his time with Triple-A Syracuse, he stole 40 bases across 131 games, making him a dual threat at the plate and on the bases.
While his season in Triple-A started slowly — batting just .214 with a .592 OPS in his first 30 games — Acuña found his stride as the season progressed. In his last 101 games with Syracuse, he raised his batting average to .272, improved his OPS to .676, and swiped 30 bases. This steady improvement caught the attention of Mets management and ultimately earned him his call-up.
A Strong Start in the Majors
Since joining the Mets, Acuña has continued to impress. In just four games, he has posted a .455 batting average, going 5-for-11 with a home run, a double, and three runs scored. His strong start has shown that he can handle the pressures of the big leagues while stepping into a key role for the team.
As the younger brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr., Luisangel Acuña has grown up with high expectations surrounding his career. Now, with his first Major League home run under his belt and a promising future ahead, he is beginning to carve out his own legacy. If his performance against the Nationals is any indication, the Mets have a rising star on their hands, one who can contribute both offensively and defensively while adding speed to the lineup.
The Mets, who have dealt with their fair share of challenges this season, may have found a spark in Acuña. With his energy and skill set, he looks poised to play a key role as the team moves forward.