Billy McKinney May See Time in Center When Conforto Returns

Recently acquired outfielder Billy McKinney’s time as the New York Mets starting right fielder may be coming to an end sooner than we think.

While speaking with the media prior to Monday night’s series opening win over the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field, Mets manager Luis Rojas provided an update on the status of injured star outfielder Michael Conforto.

Rojas said that Conforto has been feeling good and is progressing well over the past few days. He ran the bases at 95-100% this week at Citi Field, and could possibly be headed for a rehab assignment by the end of the week.

The impending return of the sweet-swinging left-hander will undoubtedly mark the end of McKinney’s reign as the Mets’ everyday right-fielder, however he certainly has performed well enough to earn himself his fair-share of playing time moving forward.

Luis Rojas certainly seems to agree, as he continued to praise the young outfielder saying, “he’s responded well in every situation that we’ve asked him to be in, wether it’s defensively or at the plate. I just think he’s showing everyday what he can do.”

The second-year skipper hinted that when Conforto eventually returns to his everyday spot in right field,  McKinney may still continue seeing playing time in center field.

McKinney has appeared in center for just one-third of an inning at the big league level, but has 126 games under his belt at the position throughout his minor league career. Despite the lack of experience at the big league level, McKinney is confident in his ability to do whatever it takes to help this team win.

Rojas seems to share that same confidence as well, as he has said numerous times since the Mets acquired McKinney from the Milwaukee Brewers that the team believes he is capable of filling-in at all three outfield positions.

When you look at the numbers, despite the lack of experience, a platoon of McKinney and Kevin Pillar in center could make sense for the Mets, at least until starting center fielder Brandon Nimmo returns from his finger injury.

McKinney has played a decent right-field thus far in his very brief Mets tenure. In fact, for the 2021 season, Statcast shows that McKinney has an above-average sprint speed, and has actually been getting a better jump on ball’s than the veteran Pillar.

Throughout his four-year big league career, McKinney has been a very solid defender at the corner outfield positions. He is athletic and has decent speed, there is no reason to believe he won’t be able to make the transition to center for the time being.

At the end of the day, McKinney has absolutely earned the right to stay with this club at the big league level. He has done whatever has been asked of him and has been mashing baseballs, picking up 10 extra base-hits over his first 14 games in orange and blue.

The 26-year old has proven to be an absolute steal for Zack Scott and company. McKinney is a very solid all-around ballplayer, and without a doubt has the tools to stay with the club and help them win ballgames down the stretch.