It's a bird, it's a plane, it's… @mconforto8 going full extension! pic.twitter.com/yJUInzuk8O
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 1, 2018
New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto went full extension to make a great diving catch Wednesday afternoon.
When asked what has gone right for the New York Mets this season, a typical fan might answer, “Nothing, except for Jacob deGrom.” Injuries and trade rumors (deGrom survived them and is staying in Flushing).
As the team trudges towards the end of the season, fans are looking for something to cheer for.
On Wednesday afternoon, Michael Conforto provided that something briefly, making a great diving catch in left field.
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's… @mconforto8 going full extension! pic.twitter.com/yJUInzuk8O
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 1, 2018
Conforto, in his natural position of left field, took off on an all-out sprint to make the diving play, robbing Matt Adams of a hit. He went full extension into the gap to do so, and the ball would have gotten down for a probable double had Conforto not grabbed it.
Conforto has shown himself to be a good fielder, despite scouting reports from his time in the minors that he struggled in that aspect of the game. He has a career fielding percentage of .986, having committed only nine errors in his major league career, despite playing over 100 games in each outfield position.
Conforto got off to a terrible start after returning from a shoulder injury that ended his 2017 season. It got so bad that the team seriously considered sending the outfielder to the minors during June.
His first-half struggles were immense, as he hit only .214 although he did manage to hit 11 home runs, despite slugging only .366. June was especially putrid, as his batting average for the month was a paltry .198.
However, he showed signs of turning it around after June. He hit .247 in June, and he has been on a tear since the MLB All-Star Break, as he has slashed .342/.409/.684 in the 11 games since the Midsummer Classic. His .342 average in the second half is only two points worse than his .344 OBP in the first half.
After a slow start, Conforto is showing once again why he, along with Brandon Nimmo, will be important members of the Mets’ outfield moving forward.