What a breakout game for Michael Conforto who busted out in a huge way only a day after making his major league debut on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Conforto, 22, picked up his first major-league hit and then some going 4-for-4 with two doubles, four runs scored, and a nice running catch in left field.
“I got a little lucky on the first one, and that took a little load off and I could just relax,” Conforto said. “I guess I was confident to begin with, and that’s what helped me play well today and get those four hits.
Conforto is the first Met in franchise history to record a four-hit game within his first two career games and the second player in major league baseball to do it this year. Kyle Schwarber of the Cubs also did it in his second career game on June 17 at Cleveland.
“This game takes it to another level. I have expectations and so what I want to do is have good at-bats every time I come up to the plate. That’s the goal.”
He is the fifth player in the last 100 years to score four or more runs in one of his first two major league games.
Matt Harvey was as impressed in his new teammate as anyone else in that clubhouse. “It didn’t look like he was having any pressure at all,” Harvey said
“I mean, four hits. Spraying the ball to left field, center field, right field. We have the same agent. Hearing from Scott [Boras] what kind of hitter he is, what kind of hitter he seems him, he’s definitely coming into his own.” (ESPN New York)
“This is more of what I was dreaming about,” Conforto said. “Couldn’t have pictured it any better tonight. Obviously all the bats were going and we were scoring a lot of runs, and I got that first win for myself.”
“That’s pretty cool to be a part of that, to be part of the winning effort as a team. A lot of firsts tonight so that’s a good thing.”
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing out there on Saturday, he was up there with all the poise of a 10 year veteran. And call me crazy, but he looked like a vintage Keith Hernandez out there.
The ball just jumps off of his bat, and I just love his approach at the plate. I love that he doesn’t go up there trying to pull everything that he sees.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed, and hoping that what we’re seeing right now is just a sign of great things to come. But wow, what a show he put on in front of a packed Citi Field crowd.
July 25
Top Mets prospect Michael Conforto made his major league debut on Friday and while he went just 0-3, he made solid contact in each at-bat and picked up his first MLB RBI.
“It was like a dream for me,” Conforto said after the game. “This whole day was like a dream for me. I was just so excited.”
Conforto, 22, displayed a fluid and level swing, excellent balance, very quick hands, and most importantly, an ability to make contact.
“I thought he looked good,” manager Terry Collins said. “He’s got a good stroke. That’s the same stroke we saw in spring training. He’s got a nice approach, some patience at the plate. I was very pleased with what I saw.”
“I had a lot of fun out there. It didn’t quite go the way I probably dreamed it, but I think I did a lot of good things out there tonight. I got that first RBI. I felt comfortable out there, so that’s the most important thing. It just makes me want to come back tomorrow. I’m excited. I felt good.”
The Mets struggling offense could use any sort of spark and they are hoping that their top position prospect player could provide that.
However, Terry Collins says they are not looking for Conforto to be a savior. “I think he will be a nice piece and a nice addition, but we will be careful to keep the pressure off him.”
“He’s not going to play every day. But he will not be in a platoon either. There will be some days he’ll play and some days that he won’t.”
“He’s not going to play every day. But he will not be in a platoon either. There will be some days he’ll play and some days that he won’t.”
Conforto was the Mets first round draft pick (No. 10) last year. He has fewer than 600 plate appearances in the minors but he has been producing and really tearing it up at every level.
Conforto hit .331 during last summer’s pro debut for the Brooklyn Cyclones. This season he skipped Single-A Savannah and began the year at Advanced-A St Lucie, batting .283 which is still impressive considering the Florida State League is a difficult place to hit.
That earned him a promotion to Double -A Binghamton, where he batted .312 and displayed an excellent approach at the plate with a good power stroke. After 45 games the Mets made the decision to call him up after Michael Cuddyer was placed on the DL.
Overall Conforto has posted a very respectable .471 slugging percentage in his brief minor-league career, striking out just 90 times in 520 at-bats, while walking 56 times. And as a left-handed slugger, he’s batted .280 vs southpaws.
Collins and Sandy Alderson had a little pep talk with him before last night’s game. “We told him that there will be a lot of eyes on him. But that the reason he is here is because he belongs.”
