Michael Conforto: Waiver Wire Pickup
By Bill Pivetz
The New York Mets were not looked at as a division contender at the beginning of the season. While the pitching was fantastic, and still is, the offense was not going to provide enough run support. However, as the months grew warmer, so did the Mets offense. One of the key players to the Mets’ run towards the NL East title has been rookie outfielder Michael Conforto. If you are looking for rookie help in a dynasty league or late-season power, Conforto is the guy to target.
The Mets finished fourth in the division in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. The team finished third and second in 2013 and 2014, respectively. This year, the team is well on its way to its first division title since 2006. Many people will look at the excellent young pitching as the catalyst, but others will point to the offense post-trade deadline as the driving force behind this team.
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The Mets made a big splash at the trade deadline, trading for Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes has been bounced around over the last couple of years. The Mets are one of the teams where players go to die. Yet, that has not been the case. He’s been one of the bright spots in this lineup as well.
Michael Conforto was called up on July 24, just before the trade deadline. He began his major-league career with an RBI in three straight games. He hit his first home run on August 3 after missing three games. On the season, Conforto has six home runs, 19 RBI and a .298 batting average in just 34 games.
Conforto is showing power that we didn’t see in the minors; he hit three home runs in 42 Low-A games in 2014. He is also showing great plate discipline, too. He has a 0.54 BB/K percentage this season. This kind of patience forces pitchers to throw in the strike zone, and Conforto is making them pay for it.
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The Mets scored 208 runs in the last 33 games. Michael Conforto has scored 23 (eight percent) and drove in 16 (eight percent) of them.
While Michael Conforto isn’t playing against left-handed starting pitchers, seven at-bats, he is making the most of his opportunity against righties. There aren’t enough lefty pitchers to make Conforto platoon hitter. He has carved himself a role as the Mets’ starting left fielder.
Fantasy owners are making room on the Michael Conforto bandwagon. He has been picked up in 8.2 percent of ESPN leagues this week, eighth among outfielders. He is now owned in 18.6 percent of leagues. If you need a spot starter or looking for power help from your No. 5 outfielder, Conforto is widely available.
He is one prospect flying under the radar that you need to add to your team.