When the Mets activated Michael Cuddyer from the disabled list earlier this week, the Mets had a decision to make: keep Michael Conforto as part of the rotation in the big league outfield, or demote Eric Campbell to Triple-A Las Vegas.
The club’s mantra is they want to have the 25 best players in the organization at the big league level as they pursue their first National League Eastern Division crown in nine years.
Keeping Conforto over Campbell not only embraces the spirit of their mantra, but it is very complimentary of Conforto, speaking to how much they value the inexperienced 22-year-old and his ability to contribute so soon in the big leagues.
The decision paid for itself this week against the Rockies. He went 2-for-3 with a double and three runs scored in the Mets 12-3 romp over Colorado on Thursday.
But he did that Eddie Butler, a right-hander. He only started two games in this series because the Rockies threw two-lefthanders against the Mets.
Because the Mets are facing so many left-handed pitchers lately, Terry Collins has had trouble finding regular at-bats for their promising prospect, as he’s trying to maximize his roster and play the match-ups accordingly.
And with the Mets scheduled to face two left-handers this weekend against the Pirates, Conforto could once again be watching more than he’s playing.
“It’s kind of a freakish week,” Collins said about facing so many lefties this week.
Collins doesn’t want Conforto in a platoon situation, as he feels he can and will eventually be a high level contributor for the Mets at the big league level.
“We do not want to make this guy a platoon player,” Collins said.
Unfortunately, that appears to be what he is at the moment, as he has only six plate appearances against southpaws since coming up. That’s mostly due to the fact the Mets roster has become so versatile with the new acquisitions, and Collins is simply playing the match-ups, pretty well at that.
Conforto could end up being demoted anyway when and if the Mets activate David Wright later this month, but it would only be temporary as he presumably would be recalled when rosters expand in September. He would at least be getting regular playing time in Triple-A if that ultimately transpires.
But that’s not necessarily a good thing, as he’s shown in the three weeks he’s been here his bat is already major league capable. It could prove to be a waste, especially if they value him enough now to have him here, contributing towards this winning solution.
Just Mets 