Rising Apple
FanSided

3 top NY Mets prospects who’ll be MLB studs, 2 who’ll be good in a lesser role

The Mets have some noteworthy prospects heading into 2025. But these three could end up being stars, while these other two top prospects could still be an important cog tot he roster, but in a lesser role.
ByNoah Wright|
Feb 12, 2025; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets shortstop Jett Williams (90) plays his position during a Spring Training workout at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Feb 12, 2025; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets shortstop Jett Williams (90) plays his position during a Spring Training workout at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
4 of 5

Luisangel Acuna will be a good major leaguer but in a lesser role

One of the notable prospects the Mets acquired at the 2023 trade deadline was Luisangel Acuna from the Texas Rangers in the Max Scherzer trade. The younger brother of division rival and 2023 MVP Ronald Acuna Jr., Luisangel made his debut last season and made a great first impression. In 40 plate appearances, he had a dozen hits, half of which went for extra bases. This included three home runs, two doubles, and a triple. Acuna only drew a single walk but struck out just six times.

While Acuna did well in his first taste of big league action, note that it was still a small sample size. Acuna’s 2024 Triple-A season was not nearly as good. In 587 plate appearances, he turned in just a .259/.299/.355 triple-slash. His 16.4% K% and 22.3% whiff rate were both above average, but he walked in only 5.5% of his plate appearances. Acuna also only hit four homers with a .097 isolated slugging percentage, leading to a .295 wOBA and 69 wRC+. Acuna showed off his wheels, swiping 40 bases, marking the third season in a row he’s stolen at least 40 bags.

Acuna’s projections do not paint his offensive potential in a fantastic light. While both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline project his hit tool as average, he also projects for below-average pop. While Acuna may have had a strong 91 MPH exit velocity and 9.1% barrel percentage in his cup of coffee in the big leagues last season, he only had an 87.9 MPH EV and 3.3% barrel percentage at Syracuse last season.

But Acuna still has a lot going for him. He was in the 95th percentile of sprint speed last season at 29.5 feet/second, which was the 29th highest in MLB. Acuna projects as a plus glove, and he flashed that in the big leagues last season. He racked up +3 outs above average and put up a +9.3 UZR/150 in just 89 games at shortstop. BA grades his arm out at a 60 grade, so his arm is more than strong enough to play on the left side of the infield.

However, Acuna isn’t just limited to shortstop. He can also play second base and logged just over 250 innings in center field for Syracuse in 2024. He could also probably play third base and both outfield corners if the Mets asked him to. If Acuna’s speed and fielding play like they’re supposed to, he’ll at least carve himself out a career as a good utility man who can swipe bases.

Home/New York Mets prospects