Michael Conforto is in the midst of a down season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he has shown glimpses of being able to sustain success at the plate.
The veteran outfielder had a productive month of July, which changed the team’s thinking at the trade deadline as they didn’t acquire a player to replace him in left field.
Conforto eventually cooled off but has since gotten back on track. He has reached base safely in five of his last seven games dating back to Sept. 12, a span that includes a pair of three-hit performances.
“Yeah, I think we’re in a good place for sure,” Conforto said of his recent success. “Being able to go left-center is a really good sign. Being able to stay on a changeup out over the plate and hit a line drive to left, that’s definitely good sign.
“Those are the things that I do when I when I feel like I’m right, so we’re just looking forward to doing more of that.”
Conforto is hitting a respectable .268/.326/.402 over his last 28 games since Aug. 15, which comes on the heels of a heart-to-heart conversation with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
“I think there came a point when he was just really honest with me,” Conforto began. “He said, ‘I need to see something from you.’ And not just going out there and getting a hit a day.
“He needed to see some fight, he needed to see something that he could trust. Just like being a baseball player. I think that kind of hit home with me. I think that’s something I kind of lost in the midst of the season, just being so worried about getting my swing right.
“We still got to play the game and do the little things. I think it was a bit of a wake up call. I definitely have to give credit to Doc just being really honest with me and kind of get me going.”
Roberts has publicly backed Conforto throughout his disappointing year, including giving him regular starts in left field for much of the season.
“It means everything that I’m still here and I’m able to fight my way out of a pretty big hole,” Conforto said. “Again, as I was saying, I appreciate his honesty, and I appreciate him coming to me when he did.”
Dave Roberts praises Michael Conforto
Roberts has liked what he’s seen from Conforto since their private conversation in August and believes his at-bat quality is much improved.
“I think his swing looks a lot better,” Roberts said. “There’s a lot more confidence. I think he’s using his hands more. I think hitting the ball on a line more. I think every at-bat has been a lot more competitive.
“We’re going to need him versus right, and it’s added a lot of length when you got him and Andy down 6-7-8, or something like that. It’s just where they’re a threat down at that part of the order. It’s great.”
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