When the Mets traded for Luisangel Acuna from the Rangers at the trade deadline they probably couldn’t help but think that if he turns out to be anything like his older brother, Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., they might have another superstar on their hands.
With Atlanta in town over the weekend playing the Mets at Citi Field, Acuna Jr. was asked what he thinks about his younger brother. To the Mets and their fans’ delight, Acuna Jr. said they’re both basically the same player.
“Very similar, a lot like me,” Acuna Jr. said through a translator on Saturday. “Our games are very similar. I think the only main difference is he plays the infield.”
Although two inches shorter than his older brother, the younger Acuna (listed at 5-foot-10) does have a similar skillset as his older brother (listed 6-foot). Namely, their speed.
In fact, the two brothers made a bet before the season started that whoever steals more bases at the end of the season gets to ask for whatever they want from the loser. Right now, Acuna Jr. leads that battle, 54 to 48.
Being the older brother, the 25-year-old Acuna Jr. has displayed more power this season as he’s hit 26 home runs compared to seven hit by his 21-year-old younger brother. Still, Acuna Jr. thinks Acuna is ready for the big leagues right now.
“If it was up to me, he would already be up here,” he said. “... He’s already a better player [than me]. Some of the things he’s doing at his age, I wasn’t doing when I was his age.”
As for what advice he’s given his younger brother, Acuna Jr. said he just tells him “to keep doing what he’s been doing and that’s how you’re gonna get success.”
“I’m hoping and expecting him to keep putting in the work in the minor leagues and I hope to see him here sooner rather than later,” Acuna Jr. said.
Whenever Acuna does eventually make it to the big leagues, which could be as soon as during the 2024 season, his older brother will be waiting.
Who knows, there may even be more bets between the two of them.
“I think we’re gonna have a great rivalry just because I think there’s so many parts of our game that are similar,” Acuna Jr. said. “Watching him play feels like watching myself play to be honest."