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NY Mets rookie Luisangel Acuna picked the wrong month to go cold

The NL Rookie of the Month for April has been a non-factor in May.
ByTim Boyle|
May 5, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Mets infielder Luisangel Acuna in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
May 5, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Mets infielder Luisangel Acuna in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Playing time has been increasingly scarce for Luisangel Acuna. So, too, has been his production. He came into May batting .288/.342/.356. His numbers have fallen to .259/.317/.313. One extra-base hit, occurring on the second of the month, is all he has offered the New York Mets offense in terms of slugging more than the occasional single.

Acuna is a gifted player with fascinating tools. Led by his undeniable speed that’ll make him a weapon in a part-time role, his struggles in May couldn’t have come at a worse time. That’s because down in Triple-A, Ronny Mauricio has heated up.

Ronny Mauricio catching fire is bad news for a slumping Luisangel Acuna

The Mets haven’t hit much at all in May. Acuna is one of biggest culprits although with expectations being what they were, he isn’t getting as much critique as others. Acuna is 8 for 39 this month. The .205 batting average is the lowest on the roster aside from Jose Azocar who can’t buy an at-bat these days. His .504 OPS has hardly made a dent in the team’s attempt to win ball games—something they’re struggling to do lately.

Meanwhile, Mauricio is red hot ever since his rehab officially ended. He’s 7 for 11 with the pair of home runs leading the way. When it comes to Acuna and Mauricio, it feels like an either/or situation. The two have similar abilities with Acuna ahead on speed and Mauricio possessing more power. Right now, the Mets could use much more of the long ball than a stolen base here and there off the bench.

Acuna hasn’t been discussed as a demotion candidate. However, with Brett Baty showing signs of life and at least being a good defender at third base, it’s hard to picture the Mets demoting him so suddenly while keeping Acuna. Azocar is increasingly becoming a DFA candidate if for no other reason than Jeff McNeil has proven he can handle center field to some extent. We should consider him an outfielder more than a second baseman.

Mauricio will need more than three games of powering his way through Triple-A pitching to make his way back to the majors. Last year, it was after a series at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers when the ball club made some major changes. Could we see a repeat if things don’t pick up?

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