Mets' Luisangel Acuña Makes Venezuelan Baseball History

A Mets infielder just made baseball history in Venezuela, and his last name might sound familiar.

Luisangel Acuña launched four home runs in one game for Cardenales de Lara on Saturday night at Estadio Nueva Esparta. The 23-year-old drove in seven runs total as his team crushed the Bravos de Margarita 21-9.

The feat marked the first time in 80 years of Venezuelan professional baseball that a player has hit four homers in a single game. According to the Society for American Baseball Research, it was also the first time any player accomplished this in a professional winter league since 1995.

Luisangel made his Major League debut with the Mets in 2024 and is still developing his power at the highest level, with just three home runs in 214 big league at-bats. Saturday's explosion suggests there might be more pop in his bat than his early MLB numbers show.

Why This Inspires

While his older brother Ronald made headlines with MLB's first 40-homer, 70-steal season in 2023, Luisangel is carving his own path to greatness. The younger Acuña didn't try to copy his brother's superstar template but instead focused on his own development.

This season marked a record year for four-homer games across baseball, with three MLB players achieving the rare feat. Now Luisangel has joined that exclusive club in his home country, showing that hard work in the offseason pays off.

The moment represents more than just personal achievement. Winter league baseball gives young players crucial development time and keeps the sport thriving in Latin America during MLB's offseason.

For a player still finding his footing in the majors, making history in Venezuela's top professional league shows the kind of talent the Mets have on their hands. Whether Saturday's power surge translates to more home runs in New York remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Acuña family keeps rewriting record books.