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BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team / NL-Only Leagues
OWNED IN: 17% of Fleaflicker Leagues
ANALYSIS: It took quite some time for the New York Mets to put ailing OF Michael Cuddyer on the shelf. But they didn't wait long at all to add another Michael to their roster to help bolster their hitting which has slumped mightily for most of this year.
Michael Conforto has handled minor league pitching quite well this year to the tune of a .297 BA, 12 HR, 54 RBI, and an impressive 61:40 K/BB in 91 games.
How has he fared since being called up? He is hitting over .300 and has contributed in the positive manner that many people expected him to as one of the more polished hitters in the Mets' system.
Conforto seems slotted to play predominately LF and figures to see at-bats in the bottom third of the lineup---for now. The Mets offense is ranked 29th in runs scored, 22nd in HR, and dead last in BA at .236. Have no fear - Conforto will keep inching up the lineup as the year progresses.
If the Mets truly see themselves as a playoff contender this year, playing Conforto every day should be a must regardless of what they do at the trade deadline to improve upon the dreadful team hitting statistics.
The concern for Conforto will be his ability to hit the ball to the opposite field. He is only currently doing that 13% of the time but with more seasoning and a better grasp on MLB pitching, Conforto should adjust. He has solid BABIP and K/BB ratios and creates solid contact. He won't steal a ton of bases but he should do just about everything else. He is not the typical young hitter poised to have high K totals, so buck the trend and buy into Conforto before someone else does.
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