2 NY Mets players poised for a breakout year in 2025, 1 we should give up on

The New York Mets and their fans are focused on adding stars to improve their roster this season. While the team rightfully should be aggressive in adding top-end talent, there are a few players already on the roster who could reach new heights and ultimately become the Mets' next big star.

On the other hand, one highly touted young player stands out as a candidate to disappoint. As the Mets look to balance their roster it's important to consider who the true breakout candidates are and who will only lead to disappointment if too much weight is put on their shoulders.

Luisangel Acuna could be the NY Mets' next star

Luisangel Acuna burst onto the scene last September posting a .308/.325/.641 line generating 0.7 fWar across just 14 games and 40 plate appearances during his brief cup of coffee. In that brief time, the soon-to-be 23-year-old Venezuelan reminded the baseball world why he's one of the Mets' top prospects as he looks to follow his older brother, Braves' star Ronald Acuna Jr, to MLB superstardom.

At just 5-foot-8 and 181 pounds, Acuna has the look of a light-hitting middle infielder who on face value doesn't seem to project to much more than a depth player. However, FanGraphs prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen had Acuna ranked as the Mets' sixth-best prospect in a May 2024 article and specifically called out the reason for Acuna's surprising power saying:

"Instead, it was his remarkable bat speed, which generates surprising power for a hitter his size, that made Acuña a potential impact shortstop who lived toward the back of the Top 100 list. The way his body rotates about his hips as he swings is beautiful, and he has a certain verve and power potential that few 5-foot-8 hitters possess, but Acuña has only performed for fits and starts of the last couple of seasons."

That power was on full display during his September callup and he pairs that with a level of athleticism and speed that combine for an intriguing overall package, even if he needs to clean up some defensive issues. He also provides the versatility to play both infield and outfield adding to his value and clearing the way for even more playing time.

With veteran second baseman and versatile utility man Jeff McNeil looking at taking on a smaller role if not being traded first, Acuna should have every opportunity to win the starting second base job in Spring Training. Should he succeed, he very well could partner with superstar Francisco Lindor to form one of the most dynamic middle infield duos in all of baseball.