Michael Conforto saw his first action in a starting role against a left-handed pitcher last night. It was his first start against a lefty since last July 24th, which was the first game of his big league career.
Conforto, 23, found himself in the cleanup spot last night. He went 1-for-3 against the left-handed, Brandon Finnegan and 2-for-4 overall on the night in the Mets’ 4-3 comeback win. A platoon player no more, Conforto has come into his own and taken his position on this team by the horns. Even if Yoenis Cespedes started last night’s game, Terry Collins had no reason to sit his left-handed hitter.
“Actually, the way he’s swinging, I might have gave (Curtis Granderson) a night off tonight,” Collins said. (Newsday)
Michael has been the consummate teammate, doing whatever is asked for him and not worrying about anything but his task at hand. You couldn’t ask for anything more from a young ball player.
“As long as we’re winning games, my role for whatever it needs to be for that to happen, I’ll be happy with my role,” Conforto said. “… I don’t think I’m impatient at all. I’ve got to earn my way into the role of playing every day and being a guy that doesn’t get platooned for lefties.”
Conforto has been on fire as of late. He is in the midst of a 14 game on-base streak dating back to April 10th. During this time he is batting .354 (17-48). Since being moved to the number three hole in the lineup, he has hit to an average of .390 with six doubles, three home runs, eight RBI and 10 runs scored.
“I think a lot of the success has come from the approach I take to the plate,” Conforto said, “but also I’m being protected by guys who can really hit.”
Michael believes its all a matter of how much time he gets to hit lefties in order to get better. The more opportunities he has received the more he has shined against left-handed pitching.
“It’s just a matter of getting consistent at-bats there,” Conforto said.
Conforto is proving he is the every day player we all expected him to be. It’s only a matter of time before any notion of being a platoon player goes away and he is cemented as the every day left fielder.
