Over the past few seasons dating back to 2021, the San Francisco Giants Michael Conforto has seen limited time on the field due to injuries.
In 2021, with the New York Mets, he played in 125 games, missing time due to hamstring issues. He then filed for free agency after the season and sat out of the 2022 season due to undergoing shoulder surgery.
On January 6, 2023, the Giants signed Conforto to a two-year $36 million contract and even though he missed the full 2022 season, he still put up decent numbers, with 14 doubles, 15 home runs and drove in 58 runners.
During spring training, Conforto batted .244 (10 for 16), with two doubles, no home runs and drove in two batters. But the MLB veteran was just waiting for the season to start and he has been hot at the plate in the Giants first three games.
On Opening Day, Conforto finished 3 for 4, with three runs scored, a double and his first home run and RBI on the season. The solo shot brought the Giants within two runs of the Padres, but the rest of the offense was shut down and the Giants lost the opener 6-4.
In the first inning of Game 2, the Giants found their mojo and scored three runs to take a 3-0 lead, then added a run in the fourth, two in the seventh and two in the ninth to win their first game of the season. Conforto was not involved in any of the scoring, but did add another hit to his stats, finishing 1 for 5 in the game.
Michael Conforto busts this game open with a SLAM!
(MLB x @DairyQueen) pic.twitter.com/KNyOLVMUK1
— MLB (@MLB) March 31, 2024
But on Saturday, Conforto would once again make his presence known, by doubling in his first at bat, and scoring on a Tom Murphy double to put the Giants up 2-0 in the Top of the second. Then with one in the top of the eighth, he lifted a bases loaded bomb over the right field fence to increase the lead to 9-1.
That was a huge game changing shot at that point in the game, given the fact the Padres scored five in the bottom of the ninth, and would come up short at 9-6.
Through three games, Conforto is batting .462 (6 for 13), with five runs scored, two doubles, two home runs and five RBIs.
A healthy Conforto is a threat each and every time he comes to the plate. With a history of hitting at least 30 home runs in a season, the Giants are in for a treat this summer if Conforto keeps tagging the ball.
