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Mets demote second former top prospect in two days
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- Mets demote second former top prospect in two days
Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
For the second straight day, the New York Mets have demoted a former top prospect to the minor leagues.
The Mets optioned infielder Luisangel Acuna to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday. The younger brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. has started just five times over the last month due to offensive struggles, collecting only 18 at-bats in June.
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Luisangel Acuna was slashing .308/.357/.385 through April with five doubles, but his numbers dropped dramatically in May when he hit .204/.254/.222. June brought more struggles at .167/.211/.167.
Overall this season, Acuna carries a .241/.293/.283 line with no home runs and a poor 68 OPS+ — meaning he was 32% worse than the league average hitter. The Mets called up veteran outfielder Travis Jankowski to fill his roster spot.
Acuna joins catcher Francisco Alvarez in Syracuse after Alvarez was sent down Sunday before the Mets' series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies .
Alvarez has struggled at the plate all season, hitting .236/.319/.333 with just three home runs and 38 strikeouts in 35 games. He fractured the hamate bone in his left hand during spring training and didn't make his season debut until April 25.
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Just two seasons ago, Alvarez hit 25 home runs.
The Mets hope to get both players back on track offensively as they are part of the young core the team will need to rely on later this season and potentially in the playoffs.
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