WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — You might recognize the names of the two Mets who supplied much of the Mets‘ offense in a 6-3 win against the Washington Nationals in Monday’s Grapefruit League game. And if you don’t recognize their names, you’ll recognize the names of their brothers: Ronald Acuña Jr. and Klay Thompson.
Luisangel Acuña, the brother of Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald, went 2-for-3 in his second-ever Grapefruit League game. This came one day after going 0-for-2, showing that the Mets’ top prospect can make adjustments from game to game.
But it was Trayce Thompson, whose brother Klay, a shooting guard for the Golden State Warriors, is a four-time NBA champion, a five-time All-Star and arguably one of the best three-point shooters of all time, who provided the Mets with the biggest hit of the game. Thompson hit a grand slam off left-hander Robert Thomas in the third inning, a big hit for a player who needs them.
Even better, it was against a lefty. Thompson has a career average of only .192 against left-handers.
“I’ve made a lot of adjustments and I’ve been working a lot,” Thompson said. “I know I can do it, but it just feels good to hit the ball hard this early in spring.”
Acuña and Thompson will likely both be teammates in Syracuse when the season begins. Acuña, an infielder who will be 22 in a few weeks, is making a transition from shortstop to second base and the Mets aren’t trying to rush any part of the development process.
But Thompson, a two-time Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder, is in camp as a non-roster invitee. The Mets signed him to a minor league contract shortly before spring training to bolster their outfield depth at the Triple-A level. The team is expected to carry Brandon Nimmo, Harrison Bader, Starling Marte, Tyrone Taylor and DJ Stewart on the Opening Day roster, with Stewart being used as a DH, outfielder and an emergency first baseman.
Thompson isn’t sure what he’s looking for out of the opportunity with the Mets, but he plans on making the most of it.
“I know it sounds cliche, but you really can only control what you can,” Thompson said. I just try to go out there and prepare to help the New York Mets win a game every day, and when my name is called upon, I try to go out there and do my best and help them win. I feel like when you have that approach and apply it, things usually just take care of themselves.”
It’s a levelheaded approach, but it’s not surprising considering his family background. His father Mychel won two titles with the Los Angeles Lakers during the Showtime era and now works as a broadcaster for Spectrum SportsNet and ESPN Radio. His mother, Julie, is a former collegiate volleyball player and track and field athlete, and his older brother, Mychel, played in the NBA G-League as well as the NBA and overseas.
The brothers are close with one another and check in frequently, though it’s less about sports and more about each other’s lives outside of sports. Thompson, the middle brother, is nearly 33 and enjoying a change of scenery. He thinks he can still keep up with younger players like Acuña and he’s not intimidated at the prospect of playing in New York.
The one thing he’s not going to do in camp is shoot on the clubhouse basketball hoop.
“That’s a lose-lose situation for me,” he said.
COACH LINDOR
Francisco Lindor gave Acuña some advice after his 0-for-2 Grapefruit League debut. It seemed to work with Acuña going 2-for-3 with two singles against the Nats.
“As a young young player, you want to do things quick,” Acuña said through infield coordinator Luis Rivera. “But it’s just all about making adjustments. Talking to Lindor, he [reminded me] to slow down the game. So that’s what [I’m] trying to do.”
Lindor is one of the few lineup regulars already getting into spring training games. The Mets want to ease the transition for Acuña from shortstop to second base.
BACK IN ST. LUCIE
Darryl Strawberry arrived at Mets camp Monday morning. The former outfielder, who will have his number retired this season, will be in uniform this week as a guest instructor.
