His playing career started in 1986 at the age of 17 as he signed as an international player with the Houston Astros. He played six seasons all in the minor leagues. In his last season as a player, he also managed the team at the single-A level for the Auburn Astros. He became manager the following year and did so in the minor leagues through 2000.
In 2002, he became the third base coach on the Montreal Expos. Acta stayed with the Expos through 2005.
The next season, he went to become the third base coach for the New York Mets under Willie Randolph, who was better known for his time with the New York Yankees as a player, coach, and manager.