PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Luisangel Acuna likely will need to find a new position at some point during his Mets development, and the organization plans to evaluate him at one of them this spring. 

The 21-year-old Acuna will receive reps at second base during camp, according to manager Carlos Mendoza, in addition to his natural position, shortstop. 

Acuna played four games in center field during his time in the Rangers’ farm system, but for spring training, at least, the Mets will keep him in the infield.

Another shortstop prospect, Jett Williams, will receive action in center field this spring, according to Mendoza. 

Evaluation at other positions is necessary for both players given that Francisco Lindor will anchor shortstop for the foreseeable future. Lindor still has eight years remaining on the $341 million contract he signed that began with the 2022 season. 

Acuna, the younger brother of Ronald Acuna Jr., was acquired by the Mets last summer in the trade that sent Max Scherzer to the Rangers. 

Mendoza, who in conjunction with the front office opted to bring in four new coaches, was asked what prompted him to keep pitching coach Jeremy Hefner. 

A former Mets pitcher, the 37-year-old Hefner also worked as pitching coach under managers Luis Rojas and Buck Showalter. 

“[Hefner] is a really good pitching coach and great communicator,” Mendoza said. “He’s got a real good feel for the information and the baseball side of things, he played at this level. And I think the relationships and his attention to detail is off the charts. The way he communicates with players is impressive.” 

Catching instructor Glenn Sherlock and strategy coach Danny Barnes also returned in the same positions.

Hitting coach Jeremy Barnes remained, but now shares the title with Eric Chavez, who was the Mets’ bench coach last season. Chavez was the Mets’ hitting coach in 2022.