07 Oct Getting to Know The NEW New York Mets Left Fielder Michael Conforto
Father: Mike Conforto, played linebacker at Penn State under Joe Paterno. Mother: Tracie Ruiz-Conforto, won two gold medals in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles in synchronized swimming, then a silver four years later in Seoul, South Korea. Biggest Influence in your young career: Both my parents.I think with my mom, she obviously was in a different type of sport, but she knew how hard you needed to work to become the best in the world at something that you wanted to do and something you enjoyed. She always preached that to me. She always said she wasn’t the most talented, but she worked the hardest. She obsessed over it. That’s what she does now. She’s golfing. She’s doing all kinds of stuff. She’s obsessing over all kinds of things. She always told me you need to obsess about the sport that you’re playing and what you want to do. So I’ve taken that with me. My dad is a competitive guy. He was my football coach. He wasn’t afraid to get in my face, but he always built me back up in the best way. He’s lit a fire under me a few times when I needed it. So I’m happy to still have him as a role model and as a coach today. Favorite Ball Player Growing Up: King Griffey Jr. He’s been my idol ever since I was growing up. I’m from Seattle, so he was always who I tried to look like when I was swinging the bat. Favorite Food: Anything Italian I love. What was the most important thing you learned in the minors? Consistency is huge. Sometimes you’ll have a rough patch and you’ll start to think you need to change a lot of things, but, like I said before, sticking with that routine and being consistent, I think that goes a long way in not freaking out or panicking when things aren’t going so well… How do you view your role on the big league team? I’m the guy that’s going to drive in runs. I think the Mets have really liked my ability to get on base. That kind of combination I think is pretty valuable, so I’m going to continue to try to be the guy that gets on base, and be a guy that can drive in runs. A guy that doesn’t get himself out on pitches… Just be a middle of the order guy that helps the team win. How would you describe your hitting style? Relaxed aggression, smart intensity. When you were drafted there were a lot of draft experts that said you were below average defensively in left and you might not stick there. Having watched you it seems like you have worked on your defense and throwing while improving both. I knew the criticisms, I had heard about them and the coaches here talked to me about it. I have put work in with them (coaches) and the best time to do it is in batting practice so you can get live reads off the bat. Getting myself into the right position to throw was a big thing for me that helped me start throwing guys out and be more accurate. It’s just something that I had to work on, I had to be out there everyday playing and its incredible what hard work can do for you. Are you upset that it took the Mets so long to bring you up to the majors? It’s not my call, all I can do is prepare myself and show up in New York and wherever I’m at and show up with the right attitude and the right work ethic and my play on the field will speak for itself. I’m extremely excited! Your Rookie Season. Tell us all about your experience so far since making it up to the big team. It’s been a dream. I’m kind of speechless. Everything has been perfect since I’ve come up. I love my teammates and they’ve made me feel very welcome. I’m so excited about this team. We sincerely route for each other.
FAST FACTS
Name: Michael Conforto Age: 22
(March 1, 1993) Birthplace: Woodlinville, WA Bats/Throws: L/R Ht: 6′ 1″ Wt: 211
Signed with the Mets: on July 11, 2014, receiving a $2,970,800 signing bonus
Bio: Selected by the New York Mets in the
first round (No. 10 overall) of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Oregon State University… signed with the Mets on June 19, 2014… NY Mets Uniform #30…ranked the No. 17 overall prospect in the Draft… named Pac-12 Conference Freshman of the Year in 2012 & Player of the Year in 2013… hit .345 with 7 HR, 16 2B, 2 3B, 56 RBIs and a .504 OBP.