Q&A: Luisangel Acu?a talks whirlwind start to MLB career
Bill Ladson
@ladsonbill24The Mets haven't missed a beat since infielder Luisangel Acuña was promoted to the big leagues on Sept. 14 and replaced the injured Francisco Lindor at shortstop. Entering TuesdayĄ¯s action against the Braves, Acu?a has a slash line of .379/.400/.828 through nine games.
In a recent sit-down with MLB.com at Citi Field, Acu?a ¨C with help from Mets translator Alan Suriel ¨C answered questions on a wide range of topics from his experience in the big leagues to his favorite sport outside of baseball.
MLB.com: You have been in the big leagues for more than a week. Is it hard to believe you are in The Show?
Luisangel Acu?a: Yes. ItĄ¯s been a week, but I still donĄ¯t believe it. Every day I wake up and I feel like IĄ¯m dreaming.
MLB.com: What did you think would happen?
Acu?a: I didnĄ¯t expect to be called up. All I was focused on doing was doing my job at Triple-A [Syracuse], working as hard as I possibly could and getting results there. I didnĄ¯t think I would be called up at this point.
MLB.com: You were hitting .258 at the time of the promotion. Some people were suggesting that maybe you were bored in the Minor Leagues. Is that true? Since you have been in the big leagues, you have been phenomenal.
Acu?a: No, no, no. I wasnĄ¯t bored. I was doing the best that I could. Everybody knows that I started off slow at Triple-A, but I was really trying to do my best at Triple-A. Honestly, IĄ¯m happy with the way I performed.
MLB.com: Why have you done so well in the big leagues?
Acu?a: ItĄ¯s the routine. ItĄ¯s the everyday work that you end up doing day in and day out. I think that is the reason for the success that we all have as baseball players.
MLB.com: Tell me something you didnĄ¯t know about big league life until you joined the Mets.
Acu?a: I didnĄ¯t realize how well the rookies get treated once they are called up. ItĄ¯s almost like you are someoneĄ¯s son. ItĄ¯s impressive and itĄ¯s really important for me how they treat us. They treat us [excellently].
MLB.com: Who has been the one guy that has taken you under his wing to teach you how to do things the right way?
Acu?a: The guy thatĄ¯s really looked out for me since IĄ¯ve been here is Francisco Lindor. He is always looking out for me since the first day I got called up. We had a really nice conversation. He is the one guy since IĄ¯ve been at Spring Training that has looked out for me.
MLB.com: What is the biggest thing Lindor taught you?
Acu?a: Play the game hard. There are no breaks.
MLB.com: Starting Tuesday, the Mets are playing the Braves and you will see your brother [Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.]. I know he is not playing because of a knee injury, but what will that first meeting be like?
Acu?a: Oh, yeah, itĄ¯s exciting. ItĄ¯s a really special moment for me, him and the family. He told me he is going to be there no matter what. He wants to see me play.
MLB.com: What is the biggest advice he ever taught you?
Acu?a: He told me to make sure that I always have discipline, which is the most important thing once you are in the big leagues. That was the biggest advice he ever gave me.
MLB.com: Speaking of discipline, you and Jose Iglesias have been a double-play combination of late. The two of you played together at Triple-A Syracuse. How much has that experience helped you and him become a perfect double-play combination?
Acu?a: His leadership is unique. When we were in Triple-A, he was the one guy that I followed around. He was on top of me when I was in Triple-A. But what I was able to do was shadow him and see how he does his routine and see how he prepares for the game. That was impressive for me.
MLB.com: What has impressed you the most about Iglesias?
Acu?a: His defense is impressive.
MLB.com: I know you like to play baseball. But what do you like to do off the field?
Acu?a: I like to play basketball when IĄ¯m in Venezuela. ItĄ¯s my favorite pastime and I like to watch LeBron James.
MLB.com: I would like to make a prediction: In 2025, you will be the everyday second baseman for the Mets. How do you feel when I say that?
Acu?a: It's one of those things I donĄ¯t control. IĄ¯m just going to continue to go out here each and every day and work to earn my spot. The rest of it, God will control. IĄ¯m just going to come in and do my part.