Michael Conforto, LF
Michael Conforto surely made a name for himself after being called-up this past July, hitting at a .270/.335/.506 clip with nine home runs and 26 RBI’s in 194 plate appearances after a torrid rise through the Mets farm system.
Conforto, 23, was considered the best left-handed hitter in his draft class in 2014, and showed us a glimpse of what he is capable of in the few months he was in the big leagues this past year.
It will be interesting to see what Conforto will do over a full season in the majors, but the former first round pick’s talent is undeniable.
Conforto is a gap hitter who has a knack for getting on base and can drive the ball out of the park, which he demonstrated in the playoffs in 2015, hitting three home runs.
Mets manager Terry Collins released his projected everyday lineup in January, where Conforto is slated to bat sixth.
Steven Matz, LHP
Steven Matz had one of the most exciting debut’s any Mets fan has ever witnessed in June of 2015.
The Long Island native’s entire family was in attendance to see the young stud pitch in his first major league game, but not even they could have predicted it to play out like it did.
In addition to tossing 7.2 innings of two run ball, Matz also went 3-for-3 with four RBI’s. It was the first time in Mets history that any player has gone 3-for-3 in their major league debut.
Matz quickly became a fan favorite after his glorious outing, and went on to go 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA in six games started the remainder of the season.
Matz is still rookie eligible after throwing only 35.2 innings, and is currently rated as the Mets top prospect and the 15th best prospect in all of baseball according to MLB.com.
The lone lefty in the Mets rotation, Matz along with the other young aces, make up what is projected to be one of the strongest pitching staff’s in baseball this season.
Juan Lagares, CF
Juan Lagares took Queens by storm and was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal year in Mets baseball in 2014, making outrageous catches and gunning runners down with his cannon of an arm.
However, 2015 wasn’t as kind to Lagares, 27, who managed to hit only .259/.289/.358 in 143 games, and didn’t nearly have the throwing capability he possessed the season prior due to an elbow injury.
Fast forward to the present, and Lagares has arrived to camp in tip top shape, shedding 20 pounds in the offseason and has something to prove.
So far this spring, Lagares is smoking the ball and hitting to all fields, batting .381/.458/.619.
Though it is a small sample size, Lagares is trying to get back to the basics and practice at the plate what he has done in years past instead of trying to do too much.
At this point, Lagares is relegated to a reserve role due to the crowded outfield, but will most likely still get a fair amount of playing time, especially against lefties, where Yoenis Cespedes will shift to left field and Lagares will start in center.
