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(New York, NY) — The Mets are hoping the assets they acquired at the trade deadline can become the future.
On Tuesday, the team introduced their newly acquired talent.
Meet Luisangel Acuña and Drew Gilbert, who made their much-anticipated debut in Bridgewater, N.J., for Double-A Binghamton.
Let’s start with Acuna, 21, who was acquired in the Max Scherzer trade.
“I’m excited,” Acuña said, through a interpreter, in his first public comments since the blockbuster deal. “This group’s got a lot of talent here. I’m just really excited to be here.”
Acuña is the younger brother of Braves superstar outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.
“I want to get to that level, the one that my brother’s at, just because everything that he does is super impressive,” said Acuña.
If that’s the case, the Mets will be in pretty good shape. Ronald, whom Luisangel said he speaks with daily, is slashing a remarkable .333/.424./.587 with 22 home runs and 53 steals, through 111 games.
“I hope to be there pretty soon,” said Luisangel, who’s spent the last four seasons in the minor leagues.
MLB Pipeline already list the 2B/CF as the Mets’ No. 2 prospect.
Next up Drew Gilbert, New York’s No. 4 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
The Mets acquired Gilbert, 22, from the Astros as a part of the Justin Verlander deal.
“It’s been pretty crazy the last week, week-and-a-half or so,” said Gilbert, a lefty hitter who can play all three outfield positions. “I try to take pride in being able to show up every day ready to go.”
Gilbert has played 81 games between High-A and Double-A with the Astros this season, posting an .822 OPS with 12 home runs and 10 steals.
“I want to win, and I’ve always wanted to win no matter where I am — high school, college, pro ball, doesn’t change,” Gilbert said. “I want to do that with the Mets as well.”
The Mets future is bright, but until that translates to wins, none of the hype matters anymore.
