The news that Mets fans have been waiting for: Sandy’s big trade deadline move.
The New York Mets announced via Twitter on Friday morning, that highly regarded outfield prospect Michael Conforto is getting called up today as Michael Cuddyer is placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Conforto was the Mets top draft pick in 2014 and has skyrocketed through the minors and to the majors in just 12 months.
Conforto will wear uniform No. 30 for the Mets.
Thoughts from Joe D.
Straight from Double-A and into the fire. We spoke to beat reporter Lynn Worthy, who has observed Conforto during his month-long stint in Double-A Binghamton.
“I think he’s got a great chance to be a very good player. I also think he’d benefit from more time in the minors, particularly in the upper levels. I wrote a column a few weeks back sort of explaining my thoughts, but it basically boils down to a few things for me.”
“One, this is his first full season of professional baseball, and he has played less than 50 games at Double-A. Two, he’s just now getting to where he is playing teams for the second or third series – his first 30 games they did not play a second series against a team – and he needs to face the challenge of making adjustments to pitching staffs that have adjusted to him.”
“Three, I don’t think it’s realistic to expect him to be a savior of the offense on the major-league level. If he goes up now, that’s what folks will expect. While some rookies have immediate success, that’s never a given.”
It will be interesting to see how Conforto will perform as he’s thrust into the heat of a pennant race and joins a team that will look to him to provide the jolt the offense needs.
It’s a tall task, but Conforto seems like a well grounded kid who shouldn’t be too fazed by all the Wilpon-induced hoopla that is soon to follow.
I love Conforto’s makeup and plate approach, and I hope his less than 50 games above Single-A will be enough to succeed at this level.
My one concern is that I hope this promotion is not in lieu of a trade deadline move to bring in another proven outfielder who can play everyday and add some punch.
I hope the Mets did this for all the right reasons and not to distract the media from all the heat they are getting this morning. Or worse yet, I hope Andy Martino and Bob Klapisch are wrong and that this was not done to appease the fans.
One more thing, except the 22-year old slugger to see a healthy diet of major league breaking balls. Lots of plus-curves and plus-sliders as well as major league changeups. Basically a huge assortment of quality pitches he hasn’t seen yet, having played just 45 games over Single-A. So give him some time to adjust.
That said, we wish him a great debut… Good luck Michael!
