Mets Find Superstar in Michael Conforto

Photo Credit: Corey Sipkin/ New York Daily News

The New York Mets have found their new stud slugger in 23-year-old Michael Conforto. Everyone knows about the stars of the pitching staff, however, attention needs to be focused on the power hitting outfielder.  Conforto made his debut last season with the team and has been nothing less than spectacular.  The reigning National League champions have tremendous confidence in the young star as they moved him to the number three spot in the lineup. A spot previously held by captain and third baseman David Wright.

The Mets as a team are currently on quite a tear, winning their last seven games in a row.  Conforto has been a major factor, hitting .343 with a .685 slugging percentage.  The Mets currently have a surplus of outfielders after re-signing Yoenis Cespedes and originally thought Conforto would just be a platoon player in left field.  It appears the team has a new problem because there is no way he should be taken out of the lineup other than for injury or rest.

Former Mets all-star catcher Mike Piazza who helped the team draft Conforto spoke highly about his progress.  He told the New York Post, “I think the Mets should be extremely pleased with his progress. He’s really accelerated and developed a lot quicker [than people thought he would], and turned into a really good run producer. So that’s great news.”  The former first round pick was drafted in 2014 and only spent a year and a half in the minor leagues.   In his rookie season, which was only about half of a season, Conforto hit .270 with nine home runs.  He was considered an afterthought as he was called up just days before the trade deadline when the Mets acquired Kelly Johnson, Juan Uribe, and the big bat of Cespedes.

He has already achieved so much in his young career. He became only the third player in history to play in the Little League World Series, College World Series, and of course the World Series.  Conforto has so much potential to be one of the all-time greats.  Coupled with an outstanding pitching staff, the Mets could be really, really good for quite some time.