Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. smiled as he imagined the future and the thought of playing a big game against the Mets with his brother, Luisangel, in the opposing dugout.
“I think we’re going to have a great rivalry just because there are so many parts of our game that are similar,” the Braves outfielder said in between games of a day-night doubleheader sweep of the Mets in Queens. “Watching him play feels like watching myself play to be honest. … The only main difference is he’s on the infield.”
It certainly would add a twist to future Mets-Braves games, once the younger Acuna ultimately gets called up.
The Mets landed the highly regarded prospect in the trade that sent Max Scherzer to the Rangers shortly before the deadline.
A consensus top-50 prospect, the younger Acuna is in the midst of a terrific season. He has a .302/.366/.795 slash line with 48 stolen bases, seven home runs and 52 RBIs.
“They have plans for him here,” Ronald Acuna said after the Braves destroyed the Mets, 21-3, to start the doubleheader. Atlanta won the second game, 6-0. “I hope to see him here sooner rather than later.”
The two brothers have a bet over who will steal more bases. Ronald is leading Luisangel by six, 54-48, at the moment.
“I’m ahead right now and also the minor leagues finish before our season, so I’m going to have a chance to have a few more once he’s done,” the elder Acuna said.
As for what he will get if he wins the bet, Ronald joked: “He has to give me whatever I say.”
Acuna was very complimentary of his younger brother, saying he is better than him right now.
That’s obviously hyperbole, considering Luisangel is in Double-A and Ronald is an MVP candidate for arguably the best team in MLB. When Ronald was 21, he hit 41 homers, drove in 101 runs and stole 37 bases for the Braves. Luisangel is 21 now.
Ronald said he stresses patience to his brother, and tells him not to concern himself with the future.
“Focus on your work” is his mantra. There is bound to be pressure on Luisangel Acuña, considering he shares a last name with one of the best players in the game.
“I don’t think he’s trying to be like me at all. And I’ve always said that to him as well,” Ronald said. “I’ve always said that he’s a better player than I am. He’s a tremendous talent. He doesn’t need to be like me at all.”
If Luisangel develops into a player anywhere close to Ronald, the Mets would clearly be thrilled.
Luisangel isn’t too far away from getting promoted, considering he has spent all year in Double-A, and has performed very well.
Asked how long he thinks it will take until Luisangel is ready for the majors, Ronald said he would leave that decision up to the Mets. He is eager to see him in the big leagues at some point soon, though.
“If it was up to me, he would already be up here,” the elder Acuna said. “But he plays somewhere else, so it’s hard for me to say.”
