Conforto looking like old self

Right at the beginning of August, Michael Conforto flipped the script. The script, up to that point, was a .198/.322/.324 slash line with just 16 extra-base hits, 25 RBI and six home runs in his first 69 games. He missed time on the injured list, nursing a nagging hamstring strain, which added to his mediocre 2021 season. Conforto kept getting booed at Citi Field in a first-half slump that put an ominous cloud over his future with the Mets.

The outfielder has played parts of seven seasons in Queens – none better than his breakout 2020 that featured a .927 OPS over 54 games.

Finally, a year later, Conforto has put together another small sample size of improved performance. In 41 games after that underwhelming start to the year, Conforto is slashing .273/.381/.462 with 23 runs, seven doubles, six home runs, 21 RBI, 19 walks and an .843 OPS. Four of those six home runs came in his last 16 games.

If Conforto continues producing at the plate for the final 17 games of the season, are his second-half numbers a large enough sample size to increase his free-agency value and convince teams to spend big on him?

“That would be a question to ask the teams,” Conforto said. “From my perspective, I’m trying to build upon the things that I’ve done the last couple months, and that’s to judge my at-bats based on whether I’m ready to hit or not. At the end of the season I think we can reflect on whether or not that sample size is big enough. But right now, I’m just trying to put together quality at-bats to help the team win, because we need wins right now.”

Conforto said he has of course thought about what uniform he’ll be wearing next season. It’s too early, he said, to think about whether he would accept a potential qualifying offer from the Mets.

“The options are wide open,” Conforto said. “Very well could not be the end of my time here. It may be, but it very well couldn’t be. I will say, I grew up here. I learned a lot here. My professional career was here. I’m just focused on finishing the season strong with my teammates, hopefully not in early October. We want to make that postseason push. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

PETE NOMINATED

Pete Alonso was nominated for “baseball’s most prestigious award,” the Roberto Clemente Award, Major League Baseball announced on Tuesday. September 15th will be