Michael Conforto: A New Chapter in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Michael Conforto is no stranger to the game’s highs and lows. Recently, he was seen making a sharp ground ball catch during a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners, a moment that showcased his deft skills and potential. As the Dodgers prepare for the 2025 season, manager Dave Roberts is optimistic about Conforto’s contribution to the team. While acknowledging that Conforto isn’t the new Teoscar Hernández yet, Roberts sees a strong similarity between the two veteran outfielders.
A Proven Formula for Success
The Dodgers have a recent success story with Teoscar Hernández, whom they signed to a one-year, $23.5-million contract last season. Hernández was a low-risk flier, intended to fill a short-term need in the lineup and give him a chance to rebuild his stock after a lackluster free-agent market. The move paid off handsomely, with Hernández batting .272 and hitting a career-high 33 home runs, eventually becoming the team’s cleanup hitter. His performance was pivotal in the Dodgers’ run to the World Series, leading to a lucrative three-year, $66-million contract this winter. The Dodgers are hoping that Conforto can replicate similar success.
A Career at a Crossroads
Like Hernández, Conforto is at a pivotal point in his career. After a couple of underwhelming seasons with the San Francisco Giants, Conforto is looking to reignite his offensive production. His journey was marred by a hamstring injury in 2021 and a shoulder surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2022 season. In January 2023, he signed a two-year, $36-million deal with the Giants, but his old levels of production never fully returned, leading to a .238 batting average and just 35 home runs combined over the last two years. Conforto, once a rising star and a former first-round draft pick, is eager to rediscover the form that made him an All-Star in 2017 and 2018, when he hit 97 home runs and had an .864 OPS.
Early Signs of Progress
Spring training has provided encouraging signs for Conforto. After a slow start, where he managed only one hit in 12 at-bats, the 32-year-old has shown marked improvement. He is six for 11 in recent games, including three doubles and a long home run to right field in a 6-4 win over the Seattle Mariners. His trademark control of the strike zone (a career 11.9% walk rate) is evident, and he is making harder contact with the ball. Conforto credits the Dodgers’ hitting staff and player development department for their support, noting that the focus has been on getting back to the middle of his career form, with a strong emphasis on timing and staying through the middle of the field.
A Change of Scenery
A change of scenery could be exactly what Conforto needs. Last year, his numbers on the road (.253 average, .852 OPS) were significantly better than those at cold, windy Oracle Park (.216 average, .632 OPS). The Dodgers’ decision to sign him was influenced by this factor, as well as his potential to raise the team’s floor while offering significant upside. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman cited Conforto’s professional at-bats and upside as key factors in the team’s evaluation. The Dodgers see Conforto as a crucial piece in their attempt to repeat as champions, much like how Hernández helped them last year.
Embracing a Culture of Success
Conforto has been welcomed into a clubhouse of confident and accomplished players, a culture of success that the Dodgers have cultivated over the years. "I’ve been welcomed into a pretty elite group of really confident players, guys who’ve done a lot of things in their careers and are great leaders," Conforto said. "There’s a culture of success around here. That’s a hard thing to build. But they’ve definitely built it here." The support and environment provided by the Dodgers could be the catalyst Conforto needs to re-emerge as a top-tier outfielder. As the Dodgers prepare for the 2025 season, all eyes will be on Conforto to see if he can live up to the potential they see in him.
