Posted by Tyler Antonelle | Aug 13, 2024
This past week in the Mets minor leagues was highlighted by a surge in power fromLuisangel Acuña, who recorded four doubles and a home run in 18 at-bats. Acuña has not been able to hit for power much this year, owning just a .375 slugging percentage, which has contributed to a subpar .689 OPS, but the speedster could do a lot for his game if he’s able to begin bunching extra-base hits together as he did in this series.
For more on the Mets’ minor leagues from this past week, let’s dive into the Mets Minors Weekly Report.
Triple-A
The Syracuse Mets won two out of five games against the Worcester Red Sox this past week, with their series finale suspended in the fifth inning. Syracuse held a 4-2 lead, and the game will resume on September 10. After officially going 2-3, the Mets are 18-20 in the second half of the season and 64-48 overall.
Luke Ritterrecorded five hits in 13 at-bats, including a double and a home run, but perhaps most impressive was that he walked five times and struck out just once. Ritter has consistently been one of Syracuse’s best bats all year, owning a .910 OPS in 103 games.
DJ Stewartalso looked good, recording seven hits in 14 at-bats, including a double and a home run. Stewart drew four walks and struck out four times, demonstrating his elite eye. Since being optioned to Triple-A, Stewart owns a 1.322 OPS in seven games.
Mike Vasilwas easily Syracuse’s top starting pitcher this week. The 24-year-old allowed just two runs and struck out eight in six innings. Vasil has just a 5.31 ERA this year but has pitched to a 3.76 ERA in his last ten outings.
Joey LucchesiandMatt Gage pitched well out of the bullpen, with Lucchesi tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings and Gage recording two scoreless innings and a save. Lucchesi has struggled in Syracuse this year, owning a 4.94 ERA, while Gage has been stellar since coming over to the Mets with 8 1/3 scoreless innings.
Double-A
The Binghamton Rumble Ponies defeated the Somerset Patriots in four of the team’s five games, with one game of the series postponed due to inclement weather. With their series win, Binghamton is now 21-16 in the second half of the season and 56-48 overall.
Wyatt Youngled all Rumble Ponies batters with six hits in the five-game series, recording a double and two stolen bases. Young has been steady all year for Binghamton, owning a .714 OPS.
Matt Rudickhad a great week, highlighted by a pinch-hit three-run homer in extra innings to put the Rumble Ponies ahead for good on Sunday. Rudick only had three hits in the five-game set, but he also recorded three walks and two stolen bases. Rudick has also been solid this year for Binghamton, owning a .715 OPS in 87 games.
Binghamton pitchers were stellar against the Patriots, with startersJonathan PintaroandJordan Gebereach throwing five scoreless innings in their outings. Pintaro owns a 3.67 ERA in 11 games between High-A and Double-A, while Geber has a 2.84 ERA in 11 appearances with the Rumble Ponies.
Joander SuarezandLuis Moreno shined, with each tossing 6 2/3 innings. Suarez allowed two runs and struck out nine, while Moreno allowed three runs and struck out six. Suarez owns a 2.60 ERA in his last five starts and has a 4.19 ERA overall, while Moreno owns a 2.76 ERA in his last six starts and a 3.84 ERA overall.
High-A
The Brooklyn Cyclones split their series with the Hudson Valley Renegades, each team taking three games. It was a low-scoring series, with Hudson Valley outscoring Brooklyn 19-13 in the six games. Brooklyn is now 18-24 in the second half of the season and 51-57 overall.
Given the lack of scoring, Brooklyn didn’t have many batters that produced much at the plate.D’Andre SmithandJunior Tilienwere the only two batters with an OPS in the series above .700, with Smith going 6-for-14 and Tilien going 5-for-20. For the year, Smith has a .552 OPS in Brooklyn, while Tilien owns a .631 OPS.
While the bats were asleep, the pitching staff did its part.Felipe De La Cruztossed a quality start, allowing two runs and striking out seven over six innings. De La Cruz owns a 4.32 ERA in 2024.
Jack Wenningerdidn’t last long in his outing, going 3 2/3 innings, but he allowed one run and struck out eight. Wenninger has a 3.54 ERA in eight appearances in Brooklyn but a 4.70 ERA total, counting his stint in St. Lucie. Wenninger is adept at striking out batters, recording 111 punchouts in 92 innings this year.
Eduardo HerreraandJustin Lawsonwere fantastic out of the bullpen, with Herrera striking out six in 3 1/3 scoreless innings and Lawson tossing three scoreless innings. Herrera owns a 4.00 ERA this year, while Lawson has a 2.68 ERA in 27 innings.
Low-A
The St. Lucie Mets lost five out of six games and were outscored 39-18 in their series against the Bradenton Marauders. The Mets continue to plummet as they are 13-27 in the second half and 35-71 overall.
Like Brooklyn, St. Lucie also experienced a lack of production at the plate.A.J. EwingandBoston Barowere the two batters with more than ten plate appearances in the series to own an OPS higher than .700. Ewing went 5-for-17 with a double and a triple, with Baro going 6-for-20 with a double. With St. Lucie, Ewing owns a .610 OPS, and Baro owns a .772 OPS.
Austin Troesser,Gregori Louis, andFranklin Gomezwere the three pitchers who shined for St. Lucie, with most of the rest of the staff struggling in the series. Troesser (4.25 season ERA) started one game and appeared in another out of the pen, tossing four scoreless innings and striking out six. Louis (1.38 season ERA) also tossed four scoreless innings, while Gomez (3.88 season ERA) threw three scoreless innings himself.
Dominican Summer League Mets
The DSL Mets Orange did not fare well this past week, going 1-4 to drop to 24-25 on the year.Bohan Adderley(.701 season OPS) went 5-for-15 with seven walks and five stolen bases, whileYovanny Rodriguez(.667 season OPS) recorded five hits with a home run.Jamdrick Cornelia(1.44 season ERA) struck out five over four scoreless innings, andJermayne Verdustruck out five over 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
The DSL Mets Blue went 3-2 this past week to improve to 18-30 on the year.Alex Acosta(.671 season OPS) recorded a double and a triple in addition to three walks and two stolen bases. Meanwhile,Justin Ramirez(.640 season OPS) recorded a double and a home run.Danny Portel(1.59 season ERA) struck out six in three scoreless innings, whileElwis Mijares(7.43 season ERA) struck out five over four scoreless innings.
Organizational Leaders
Batting
(Among Qualified Players)
AVG –Nick Morabito(STL/BRK) – .307
OPS – Luke Ritter (SYR) – .910
HR – Luke Ritter (SYR) – 23
SB – Nick Morabito (STL/BRK) – 49
Pitching
(Among Qualified Players)
ERA –Brandon Sproat(BRK/BNG/SYR) – 2.53
SO –Jonah Tong(STL/BRK) – 129
WHIP – Brandon Sproat (BRK/BNG/SYR) – 1.00
Players of the Week
Offense –Luisangel Acuña, IF/OF Syracuse
Luisangel Acuña finally demonstrated some power this week, something he has failed to do most of the season. He has just six home runs and 29 total extra-base hits in 103 games this year. Five of those extra-base hits came this week, as Acuña slugged .778 in five games played. Acuña has not played well in 2024, a year many predicted he’d reach the Major Leagues. There’s still time for that, but he might not be ready.
Pitching – Joander Suarez, P Binghamton
Joander Suarez has been one of the most inconsistent pitchers in the Mets’ system this year, owning a 4.19 ERA but also showing flashes of dominance like he did this past week. He struck out nine in 6 2/3 innings and completed his second consecutive quality start, and he now has a 1.08 ERA in his last three starts.
Upcoming Schedule – August 13-18
Triple-A Syracuse: @ Rochester
Double-A Binghamton: vs. Portland
High-A Brooklyn: @ Wilmington
Low-A St. Lucie: @ Daytona
