Tom Brennan: Where are Pre-Mets’ Versions of Acuna & Clifford?

Acuna Photo: Ann-Marie Caruso, NorthJersey.com

Hey, I understand why the Mets wanted LuisAngel Acuna in that Max Scherzer trade.

Very strong in stolen bases, very strong, defensively, and heck, in 362 at bats in AA in the Texas League, he hit .315 with 34 extra base hits and 51 RBIs in 362 at bats.  What’s not to like?

Since the trade to the Mets, though, he has been up 200 times, in AA, AAA and in last year’s AA postseason. In 200 at bats, he’s hit .215, with a mere three doubles, three homers and 14 RBIs. Sad levels of offensive output.

Not meant to be a long article, but it’s starting to seem that the disparity between Ronald and his brother on the Mets is becoming greater by the day.

Time will tell, I guess, but Ruben “Sandwich” Tejada hit better at that age while playing with the Mets than Luis is currently hitting in AAA, where he is 5 for his first 38 with one lonely RBI.

I hope the kid develops. The Mets paid an awful lot for him. The Mets need him to be good, for sure.

Ditto Ryan Clifford from the Astros.

In A ball in 2023 with the TEXAS-based Orbiting Ones, he had 306 at bats, .295, 18 HR, 61 RBI. Very impressive.

Since then? As a Mets A baller, just 23 for 129 (.178), 6 HR, with 56 Ks.

That’s not good. (In fairness, he has been stationed in neutering Cyclones Park.) 

Hopefully, the Clifford contact rate rises in 2024 henceforth, along with the batting average.

We need some ROI here. And hopefully, the Mets weren’t snookered.