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New York Mets: Is Michael Conforto the spark the offense needs?

By Nick Ziegler

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The New York Mets are in desperate need for offense this season, and with a lot of uncertainty about them making a trade, they may have to look from within.

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Everyone knows about the Mets’ prized pitching prospects that have been called up in recent years. This season, the Mets have been given a spark by both Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz. Despite the great pitching from their rotation, the Mets are struggling to win.

The Mets’ offense has become one of the worst in baseball due to injuries and some players being ineffective at the plate. With three-runs feeling like 10 runs now, Mets fans are begging for the team to acquire a bat.

Sandy Alderson has made it very clear that he has no desire to trade one of his pitching prospects for an impact bat. With no meaningful trade likely, the Mets may have to look from within their minor league system for a hitter that can make an impact.

One of the Mets’ biggest hitting prospects is outfielder Michael Conforto, and he can be the impact bat that they are looking for.

Conforto was taken with the 10th overall pick in last year’s MLB Draft, and has shined in the minor leagues so far. In 42 games in Brooklyn last season, Conforto batted .331 with three homeruns and 19 RBI.

This season, Conforto started out in Port St. Lucie, and batted .283 with seven homeruns and 28 RBI in 46 games. After succeeding in Single-A, the Mets promoted Conforto to Double-A, where he has also played well. In Binghamton, Conforto is batting .325 with three homeruns and 19 RBI in 32 games.

“Somebody asked me the other day if I’ve seen anybody that’s impressed me,” a scout said, on the condition of anonymity to the New York Post. “He was the name that popped up into my head. He’s probably more advanced than any hitter I’ve seen in the minor leagues this year. He makes a lot of solid contact. He drives the ball.”

Said a second scout who also has seen Conforto in 2015: “The early signs are that he can be a nice-looking bat. The fact that people are looking for lefty bats makes him even more appealing.”

With Conforto flying up the Mets minor league system, is a promotion to the big leagues possible? Michael Cuddyer has been awful this season, which is a main reason for the Mets’ offensive struggles. If the Mets don’t make a trade, Conforto can be called up to try and give this offense a spark.

If Conforto is called up at some point this season, it would likely be at the expense of Cuddyer’s playing time.

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