SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — When Michael Conforto and his wife, Cabernet, welcomed their first son into the world this winter, that, they determined, was enough change for one offseason.
A few months earlier, the Scott Boras client made the somewhat unexpected choice to pick up his option, ensuring young Camden, born Dec. 21, would split his first year between here, where the Confortos keep a home, and San Francisco.
“A lot of factors went into it,” Conforto said, “but it ended up being a pretty easy decision.”
The Giants’ left fielder had about a month to mull his options once his season ended, but only five days from the conclusion of the World Series. A couple of phone calls from Bob Melvin and Farhan Zaidi were enough to reassure him he was wanted back, so Conforto informed them he would pick up the $18 million option.
“Pretty good chunk of money for me to come back here to be with a lot of guys who I really enjoyed playing with and an organization that I enjoyed playing in,” Conforto said. “That felt really good to have that conversation (with Melvin). From there, it was kind of a no-brainer for me.”
A few weeks into spring training, Zaidi reiterated the gist of his message to Conforto.
“I view Michael Conforto as our everyday left fielder,” the president of baseball operations said.
That, however, was no sure thing after Conforto’s 2023 season, one of the most trying of his career in terms of on-field performance. He batted .239, 16 points below his career average entering the season; his on-base-plus-slugging percentage was the lowest of any of his eight big-league seasons; and, for the first time since he was a part-time player at 23 years old, he rated out as a below-average offensive performer.
All this, of course, could be expected from a player who missed the entire previous season after having his throwing shoulder surgically repaired.
But, Conforto said, it was more than just the surgically repaired shoulder that kept him from being himself.
“I thought I did everything I could to stay ready to play a full 162-game season, but looking at it now, it’s not easy,” Conforto said. “Last year, it felt like the first month and a half I was struggling to find anything that would work out there, getting my legs back under me. And somewhere in the second half, the legs just felt out from under me.
“I didn’t want to allow myself to use it as an excuse. But when I do look back at it, it’s pretty crazy to think that you can just jump back into it, a league of the best in the world, after not being out there for a year.”
Entering this offseason fully healthy, understanding the role expected of him, Conforto rededicated himself to building up his endurance for the grind of a 162-game season. He had the Giants’ team physicians develop a workout plan, and he had full access to the club’s state-of-the-art training facilities.
After going through a rotating cast of hitting coaches with the Mets, Conforto also appreciated the continuity of Justin Viele and Pedro Guerrero being welcomed back by the new coaching staff while adding Pat Burrell. Viele was a frequent partner in the Papago Park batting cages this winter.
“It was black-and-white different,” Conforto said, compared to last offseason, when he was a free agent and focused on rehabbing his shoulder.
“I feel like I’m in a much better place. I have experience fresh in my mind from last year to draw from, the two hitting guys who were here with me last year, and Pat joining the crew as well, it’s been awesome. I think I can up my game in all facets.”
There is one area where Conforto hopes to notch down: his weight.
Conforto played most of last season between 220-225 pounds, he said. “Maybe even a little bit over that.”
This spring, he weighed in at 215.
“My best seasons have been played from 210 to 215,” Conforto said. “Just historically, I’m more athletic, moving around better at a lighter weight. Even the power has been better at those weights. Whether or not that’s correlated, I think I just feel better on my feet at a lighter weight.”
If he is feeling better on his feet, then maybe he won’t lose his legs.
For about a month, around last May, Conforto showed what he is capable of when both fully healthy and at full stamina. In 24 games from May 10 to June 10, briefly interrupted by a bruised heel, Conforto slugged eight of his eventual 15 home runs, batting .333 with a 1.045 OPS.
“I definitely felt more like who I am as a player,” Conforto said. “You don’t stay that hot all season, but you also don’t sink as low as some of the times I sunk last year.”
While the Giants skidded down the stretch, struggling to score runs as a playoff spot slipped out of their grip, Conforto bottomed out, as well. He hit his last home run on Aug. 13, batting .222 with a .594 OPS — three doubles amounting to all of his extra-base hits — over the Giants’ final 44 games.
“I felt partially responsible for the lack of offense in the second half,” Conforto said. “Us spiraling out of control, that was a big motivator for me, especially to come back here and try to play a full season the way I know I can.”
When Conforto takes his spot in the outfield at Petco Park on March 27, he will become the 18th different Opening Day left fielder in 18 years since Barry Bonds’ final season. Last year’s starter, Blake Sabol, remains in the organization but is a longshot to make the roster.
With Conforto’s status beyond this season uncertain, the streak could reach 19 in 2025.
“It’s a wild stat,” Conforto said. “I’m preparing to play out there every single day. … I mean, listen, I love this place. I like the guys. I like what they’re building here. I’d like to stick around. But who the heck knows?”
