In 2014, the New York Mets drafted an impressive junior from Oregon State named Michael Conforto with the No. 10 overall pick. He was considered to be the most advanced college bat in the draft and the type of prospect who could provide impact sooner rather than later. Many projected that Conforto could get called up to the MLB level by the end of the 2015 season, but most likely it would be during the summer of 2016. However, the former Pac-12 Player of the Year would rip through his minor league assignments and batted .309 with 15 HRs and 76 RBIs in 133 games. This would lead to him being called up on July 24, 2015 and exceeding expectations for his inevitable promotion.

Conforto proved to be a welcome addition to the Mets’ offense by hitting .270 with nine HRs and 26 RBIs in 56 games played. He also became the first rookie to hit two HRs in a World Series game since Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves in 1996. Although his .200 batting average and .235 OBP in the playoffs was a disappointment, Conforto showed Mets fans what they should be expecting for the future. Based on how he was hitting, he would have finished with 26 HRs, 75 RBIs and a BA between .273 and .283.

Some of the Mets’ faithful may be concerned about the .214 BA that Conforto had against LHPs last season, but it’s too small of a sample size to begin panicking. Before getting called up from Double-A, Conforto had a .333 BA with a .904 OPS against LHPs so the upside is there for him to hit well against southpaws. He may struggle a bit against top-tier LHPs such as Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers or Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants, but he should hit much better against LHPs moving forward.

With the strong probability that Conforto will be the starting left fielder for the Mets in 2016, his potential to have a true breakout season is high. His discipline at the plate should improve and will lower his current career K-percentage of 20.1. Therefore, finishing this season with a .280 BA is possible, but I would temper expectations for him batting .300-plus. Additionally, he has 25-plus HR potential and can realistically drive in 85-plus runs. As for his defense, Conforto is athletic enough to be a decent left fielder, but I wouldn’t bet on him winning any Gold Gloves unless he significantly improves in that area.

Conforto gave New York a sample of what he can do in the 2015 and, now that he will have the chance to play a full season, will flourish this year. Along with Yoenis Cespedes and a dominant pitching staff that includes Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom, Conforto will break out and become the latest household name for the Mets in 2016.