Ronald Acuna Jr. praises brother, Mets prospect Luisangel: 'I was as talented, but not as advanced'
Shortstop Luisangel Acuna, the No. 44 overall prospect in all of baseball who became the No. 2 prospect in the Mets’ organization according to MLB Pipeline after he was acquired this weekend, has a big supporter: his four-time All-Star brother, Ronald Acuna Jr.
Atlanta's Acuna said in May that his 21-year-old brother has shown signs he could be a supreme talent.
“My brother is more advanced and better than I was at his age. Maybe I was as talented, but not as advanced,” he said through an interpreter via the Dallas Morning News.
In 84 games at Double-A Frisco this season, Acuna has 25 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 51 RBI while slashing .315/.377/.453 for a .830 OPS. The infielder struck out 76 times with 37 walks over 402 plate appearances. He also has 42 steals on 47 attempts.
Acuna, who was acquired by New York in the deal that sent Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers over the weekend, is expected to soon join the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies.
"Ultra athleticism," Mets' GM Billy Eppler said of Acuna. "Watching some of the video on him and seeing some of our scouting reports and the plays that he kind of makes in the middle of the diamond -- the arm strength, the hit ability. He's working on lifting the ball a little bit more of just being able to get the ball airborne a touch more. Strong plate discipline, strong contact, strong skills -- just really excited to get a prospect of this caliber into our system.
"I kind of follow a little bit online and see where people want to slot him already and all this kind of stuff, but that's the fun of this and I'll let you guys all do that."
Of course, a one-to-one comparison isn’t too fair, as Ronald was already an All-Star at age 21 and Luisangel is still in Double-A.
“It’s hard not to dream about [his brother], but I don’t think it’s fair to make those comparisons,” Rangers general manager Chris Young said in May. “We’d love for him to turn into that, but they are different people and different players. We’re excited about the player.”
The elder Acuna did not elaborate on what he’s told his younger brother, but only that he’s encouraged him to continue “doing what he’s been doing” and that “it’s been a joy to watch him develop.”
At the time, the Rangers agreed about the joy of watching one of their prospects' development.
“He is more comfortable and confident,” Kenny Holmberg, Texas’ minor league field coordinator said, via the Dallas Morning News. “It’s led to high-caliber shortstop play... he’s a baseball player and can do whatever is asked of him.
“And he does it with passion. You can see that in the way he plays. That’s what you look for. I wasn’t sold [on the shortstop play], but he’s made me a believer. He’s been impressive.”
