As if the Braves-Mets rivalry needed more fuel, the 2025 season is tossing in a new twist. Luisangel Acuña, younger brother of Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr., is officially heading north with the New York Mets on Opening Day.
You couldn’t script it better—two brothers, two bitter rivals, and a division that’s already loaded with storylines just picked up one more.
Luisangel Steps into the Spotlight
Let’s start with the numbers. Luisangel Acuña isn’t just riding his last name—he earned this. The 23-year-old infielder made his MLB debut with the Mets late last season and wasted zero time making an impression.
In 14 games, he slashed .308/.325/.641 with three homers and six RBIs. That’s not just “serviceable rookie” stuff—that’s loud production in limited time.
Sure, his Spring Training this year wasn’t exactly headline-worthy—a .250 average and a .573 OPS—but the Mets weren’t looking solely at March numbers. They needed infield depth, they remembered the late-season spark, and Acuña’s versatility was too good to ignore.
While he’s been used exclusively as a middle infielder, his athleticism makes him a candidate for outfield reps if the need arises—though that experiment hasn’t started yet.
Mets vs. Braves: Acuña vs. Acuña?
Circle it. June 17–19 in Atlanta. That’s the first time we could see Ronald and Luisangel on opposite sides of the diamond this season. Add in the return trip to Queens the following week, and you’ve got seven games in nine days where this brother vs. brother storyline could fully ignite.
Ronald Acuña Jr., still working back from his knee injury, is expected to be active well before then—so barring the unexpected, we’re getting the full Acuña Show.
And don’t forget—these two teams do not like each other. It’s not just division drama; it’s a turf war every time they meet. Now imagine that with a layer of sibling pride added to the mix. This season is going to be fun.
Just Wait—There’s a Third Acuña Coming
Just for fun, there’s another name you might want to remember: Bryan Acuña. The youngest of the trio, Bryan is still a few years away—currently climbing the Twins’ farm system at just 19 years old.
He hasn’t played above rookie ball yet, but let’s be honest, the bloodline’s doing just fine. If he makes it? We could be talking about a three-way Acuña reunion in a few seasons.
But for now, the spotlight belongs to Luisangel. He’s not just Ronald’s little brother anymore—he’s a Major League infielder with a shot to carve out his own legacy in Queens. And something tells us he’s not shying away from the pressure.
Sibling rivalry? Try division-defining rivalry. It’s going to be a wild ride in the NL East this summer—and the Acuñas are front and center.
