Dave Roberts Has ‘Thought About’ Sitting Michael Conforto Amid Struggles
The struggles of offseason acquisition Michael Conforto have continued.
Signed on a 1-year deal worth $17 million, Conforto is aiming to follow many before him who reestablished their values playing for the Dodgers. Presumably, his plan was to have a monster year with the elite ballclub before getting back on the open market where he’d cash in on a multi-year deal.
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Thus far, those plans have been futile.
In 119 plate appearances, Conforto is sporting a .141 batting average. This includes only two homers and six runs batted in. Since April 20, he’s had only one hit. Things are getting to the point where manager Dave Roberts has a real decision on his hands. There appears to be a world where the Dodgers could look for options elsewhere in left field if the hitting woes continue.
“I have thought about it,” Roberts said. “I know [Conforto is] grinding right now. We’ll see. I’m not saying that at some point if we don’t see – if he doesn’t look more comfortable, to be able to give him a couple days off might make sense. But right now, I want to keep running him out there.”
Whether it be a coincidence or not, but LA’s top prospect Dalton Rushing got his first start of the year in left field today for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Rushing is a catcher by trade, but is blocked on the major league roster by Will Smith.
At some point, the Dodgers will have to see what Rushing’s got at the highest level. Rushing did see some time in left field last year. There may be some kinks to work out considering that’s not his natural position. At the same time, he’s got a very strong bat — and many believe it will translate to the big leagues assuming he gets extended time to showcase his skills.
Roberts is a player’s manager, and he will give Conforto a fair shake in trying to turn things around. It could simply take a good string of games for him to get out of this major funk. However, the Dodgers won’t wait around all season for something to materialize. With Rushing sitting in Triple-A, it could ultimately be time for the prized prospect to get his chance in the Show.
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Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Conforto looks totally out of sorts letting strike after strike go by without even a swing. Maybe he needs glasses. Sitting him down down for a few games to reset himself is a time honored method of many a successful major league manager. Right now he is almost automatic strike out or a hitter of double-play ground balls. Moving him down in the lineup has not helped, He is just not seeing the ball well at all. Pages has im0proved his play in center although he is really a corner outfielder. They can always play Taylor or Pages in Left and put Kike in Center and let Kim play second. Its worth a try. Anything is better than Conforto’s lowering sub 200 batting average at the moment.
Move Edelman to centerfield and platoon Pages and Conforto in left field…Pages gets the lefities and Conforto the righties.
I’m not feeling bad for someone playing a game for one year at $17 million bucks and sucking eggs
Roberts refuses to play and develop prospects. Prefers veterans over prospects no matter how bad the veterans are, while prospects languish in the minor leagues for years. And if does bring one up and they don’t perform right away he will play the bad veteran and not develop the prospect.
“Rally Killer” Conforto will be DFA’d by the All-Star break.