The New York Mets are setting high expectations for one of their brightest young stars entering the 2025 season. Luisangel Acuña will be stepping up to play a significant part for the team, even though he is not projected to appear on the Opening Day roster.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has expressed great confidence in Acuña, predicting he will have "a big role, he’s going to have a huge role." Mendoza clarified, "I said [Jeff] McNeil is going to be a big part of our team — Luisangel is right there too. We keep saying the young players are going to get opportunities, and Luisangel will get his." With the young infielder taking ground balls at third base, he is certainly part of the discussion as the Mets look to fill the current vacancy at the position.
Acuña’s MLB debut last season saw him perform admirably, with the 22-year-old Venezuelan infielder hitting .308 and demonstrating impressive numbers including .966 OPS across 14 games. He also drove six runs home and slugged three home runs. Mendoza has taken notice of this talent, preparing Acuña to join fellow prospects Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio as options for third base as the team aims to fulfill its championship aspirations.
On another front, the Mets are championing innovative business strategies under the guidance of Justin Friedman, who joined the organization to bring data analytics to the forefront of their operations. Friedman’s arrival is seen as pivotal, especially since the Mets were lacking dedicated analytics departments on the business side for years. Following his hiring, the Mets secured the services of outfielder Juan Soto with the biggest contract in sports history, signaling the team's intent to capitalize on both on-field and off-field opportunities.
Friedman’s past experiences include co-founding the NFL’s first centralized data and analytics department. Under the supervision of Chris Halpin, he was instrumental in transforming analytics practices within the NFL. Those who worked with him recognized his work as “mission-critical,” including Paul Ballew, the league’s chief data and analytics officer.
His leap to the Mets brought fresh perspectives, as he needed to align his vision with the aspirations of team owner Steve Cohen, who is known for his data-driven approach to leadership. Friedman recalled, "Steve must’ve really liked it. Similarly, when I heard his vision, I became a true believer. Every day I see him executing on it." After little more than 18 months, Friedman has recruited a 12-member analytics team to provide insights across ticketing, marketing, sponsorships, and stadium operations.
This past offseason, business improvements significantly increased, particularly following Soto's signing. Senior vice president of ticketing Jake Bye indicated the Mets experienced 12 times as many leads on potential ticket sales from December to January compared to the same timeframe the previous year. This surge followed Friedman's emphasis on data-driven techniques to guide operational enhancements, including how the sales teams would approach potential leads.
Friedman’s analytics initiatives are already reshaping how the Mets maximize their game-day experiences. One of the tools from the revamped system is the predictive model capable of forecasting attendance to within just hundreds of fans. This optimization means staff members and concession services can be adjusted, ensuring the best possible experience for attendees.
Fans will see increased engagement efforts, as the Mets plan to launch the Amazin’ Advisors Research Panel, consisting of 15,000 individuals from their fan database. This initiative will allow fans to provide direct feedback on various aspects of their experiences, which Friedman hopes will create an “ongoing dialogue” between the franchise and its supporters.
Mets operations are also adapting by shifting Saturday home games to earlier 1 p.m. starts based on fan surveys indicating demand for more family-friendly game times. By doing so, the organization hopes to encourage attendance and make games more accessible to families.
Promotions have also become more prominent with the introduction of 10 bobblehead giveaways throughout the season. This commitment to fan engagement showcases how the analytics department is influencing everything from promotional scheduling to overall attendance strategies.
Despite the uncertainties inherent with any sports season, especially around wins and losses, Friedman remains optimistic about what can be achieved. “A good model,” he stated, “is a nimble one.” For the Mets, 2025 stands to be pivotal, with their young talents and strategic advances placing them on the precipice of potentially historic achievements.