Fantasy Baseball: 10 Surprises So Far in 2017
Michael Conforto, OF, New York Mets
Preseason ADP: 325.56
The Start
Sometimes, whether or not a player is a fantasy asset depends on the kind of opportunity they'll receive in the form of playing time. During spring training, it didn't look like Michael Conforto would even make the big league club for the New York Mets. He ended up being on the opening-day roster as the fourth outfielder and late-game pinch hitter, but has morphed into much more.
Mostly due to an injury to Yoenis Cespedes, Conforto has gotten consistent playing time in left field and stabilized the leadoff spot for manager Terry Collins when Jose Reyes couldn't. The young outfielder is now slashing an incredible .327/.413/.654 with a .437 wOBA, .327 ISO and 173 wRC+ through 126 plate appearances.
How Sustainable Is it?
Conforto's batted-ball profile looks very similar to last year -- a season in which he struggled after a hot April -- but the biggest difference is how he's using the whole field so far this year.
Here's where his batted balls have ended up in 2016 compared to so far in 2017.
| Year | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 42.7% | 32.6% | 24.8% |
| 2017 | 25.9% | 50.6% | 23.5% |
At this point, it just seems that he needs to keep playing every day. Cespedes is getting closer to returning, which means Conforto needs a place to play. If Curtis Granderson (.213 wOBA, 29 wRC+ through 140 plate appearances) continues to struggle, he'll be the odd man on the bench, with New York's latest spark plug playing some center field.
Either way, if he continues hitting the way he's been, it'll be impossible to sit him on the bench.
