Michael Conforto officially makes his return to the Major
Leagues today.
The New York Mets activated the center fielder Thursday
morning from the 10-day Disabled List, and he will leadoff for the Mets when
they face the Nationals this afternoon in Washington.
To make room for Conforto on the roster, the Mets optioned
utility infielder Phillip Evans to Triple-A Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast
League.
Last season, Conforto hit .279 with 27 home runs, 20 doubles
and 68 RBI in 109 games. His All-Star campaign was cut short in August when he
tore the posterior capsule in his left shoulder and was lost for the remainder
of the season.
According to a Mets Press Release: “at the time of the
injury, Conforto ranked among NL
leaders in OPS (.944, ninth), OBP (.386, 12th) and slugging percentage (.558, ninth). He was
also the first Met to hit at least 25 homers in his age 24 season or younger
since David Wright hit 30 homers in his age 24 season in 2007.”
The
question remains how Manager Mickey Callaway will use Conforto in the lineup?
And, what does it mean for Brandon Nimmo?
Last
season, Terry Collins used Conforto primarily as a leadoff hitter, which seemed
to work, even though Conforto projects as a middle-of-the-order slugger. In 270
at bats in the leadoff spot, Conforto hit .281 with 20 home runs and 45 RBI.
Of all
the spots in the batting order, leading off seemed to be the most comfortable
for Conforto, although he did hit .370 with three bombs and 8 RBI in 32 plate
appearances out of the three spot in the batting order.
With
Conforto back in the lineup it means limited at bats now for Brandon Nimmo, who
lit things up in Spring Training, and was off to a decent start in the regular
season, batting .286 in seven at bats.
It would
have made sense for the Mets to option Nimmo to Triple-A so he can continue to
get regular playing time and at bats. But, Callaway really liked what he saw
from the speedy 25-year old this spring, and wants him on the roster. Plus
Callaway likes to play everybody, meaning he will find games for Nimmo.
Nimmo’s
presence means Callaway can give needed days off to sluggers Yoenis Cespedes
and Jay Bruce, both of whom are past the age of 30, and will need a day off from
time to time.
The guy
who will also be affected by the logjam in the outfield is Juan Lagares. While
Lagares is hitting the ball well early in the season, he has never been the
model of consistency. Sending him down is likely not an option, since the Mets
are still on the hook for $15 million over two years on the albatross contract
Sandy Alderson gave Lagares in 2015.
How
Callaway juggles the lineup will be interesting. Callaway is going to give
Conforto every opportunity to be the team’s leadoff man, starting Thursday
against the Nationals. Clearly the Mets feel Conforto is well enough to handle
the riggers of the leadoff after spending the past few weeks in extended Spring
Training.
In a lot of ways it makes sense. More teams
are leading off with power guys, i.e the Cubs and Kyle Schwarber. In the Mets case, they don’t have a lot of
speed, and Conforto gives Callaway some versatility at the top of the order.
On days
when Conforto and Nimmo are both in the lineup, don’t be shocked to see Nimmo
leadoff with Conforto dropping down into the number two or three spot in the
batting order, depending on who is playing that day.
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