Michael Conforto

Michael Conforto's Biography

Michael Thomas Conforto was born on March 1, 1993, and goes by “Scooter.” He is a renowned American professional baseball outfielder, known for his powerful swings and consistent play in Major League Baseball (MLB). Currently, he is part of the prestigious San Francisco Giants. Conforto’s professional journey is marked by his time with the New York Mets and his remarkable volley of accomplishments.

One of Conforto’s earliest tributes to baseball was when he represented the Northwest Region in the Little League World Series in 2004. His journey began in his high school years at Redmond High School in Redmond, Washington. Moreover, his excellent academic record earned him a place on the honor roll. Balance seems to be Conforto’s forte, given his contributions to both the baseball and football teams at his school. Serving as a shortstop on the baseball team and as a quarterback and safety on the football team, Conforto showcased his versatility and competitive spirit. He shone brightly as a quarterback and was named second-team All-State. His prowess in football caught the attention of Ivy League schools who recruited him actively. However, baseball was Conforto’s true calling. His steady climb saw him batting .310 as a sophomore, .361 as a junior entailing an All-State recognition, and .400 as a senior, leading to All-State and All-League honors. This earned him various offers from top-tier baseball schools, such as Oregon, Stanford, and Washington State.

Considering his options, Conforto chose to play college baseball for the Oregon State Beavers in 2012. His standout year was his freshman season where he had an impressive record, including leading the Pac-12 with 76 RBIs in 218 at-bats across 58 games. He was honored as the Freshman Hitter of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. These achievements set his reputation in stone, and he was selected by the New York Mets in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft with the 10th overall pick. With this, he embarked on his bustling professional baseball career. Conforto then made his blazing MLB debut in 2015.

Throughout his athletic journey, Conforto has been the recipient of numerous commendations for his performances. His 2017 victory made him an All-Star, followed by being named an All-MLB Second Team outfielder in 2020. However, post the 2021 season, he took on the status of a free agent and unfortunately had to withdraw from the following year due to a shoulder injury.

Conforto’s professional journey continued in 2015 with the St. Lucie Mets of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, followed by his promotion to the Binghamton Mets. He became an unforgettable part of his teammates, with noteworthy records, particularly his operations in the Pacific Coast League, where he had an exceptional batting average of .422. Following this remarkable streak, he was called up to the major leagues by the Mets.

In 2015, Conforto made his memorable debut, marking his presence with his first major league RBI on a groundout. The next day, he marked another milestone by claiming his first major league hit. He capped off the year with a .270 batting average, 30 runs, nine home runs, and 26 RBIs in 174 at-bats over 56 games. Notably, Conforto became the third player in history to have played in the Little League World Series, College World Series, and Major League World Series.

Conforto reiterated his reliability and consistency throughout the years that followed. One of his most significant achievements occurred in 2017 when he worked his way up to a starting job with the Mets and was selected for the MLB All-Star Game. An unfortunate injury late in the season paused his progression, but he bounced back with impressive statistics in 2018, hitting .243/.350/.448 and leading the Mets with 28 home runs, 82 RBIs, and 78 runs scored.

As a slugger, Conforto etched out several significant moments, such as his first major league grand slam, eventually concluding the 2019 season with a stellar .257/.363/.494 batting record, with a .856 OPS, and career highs in home runs (33) and RBIs (92). After such an overwhelming performance, his subsequent remorseful decision of declining the $100 million contract extension offered by the Mets before the 2021 season surprised many. Apart from a few controversies, his concluded 2021 season with a .232/.344/.384 batting record, 14 home runs, and 55 RBIs in 406 at-bats. This was followed by his decision to take on free agency, subsequently leading to a shoulder injury that kept him from signing a contract.

Conforto, however, after a year of absence, returned to the limelight by joining the San Francisco Giants in January 2023 with a commendable two-year contract valued at $36 million. His story is filled with accomplishments and setbacks, but his unwavering commitment to the sport remains ubiquitous. Born to a three-time Olympic medalist mother, Tracie Conforto, and a Penn State inside linebacker father, Mike, Conforto’s athletic DNA is not surprising. Balancing his sports life, Conforto got engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Cabernet Burns, in January 2021, and they welcomed their first child, a son named Camden, in December 2023. Residing in Scottsdale, Arizona, Conforto continues to be a staple in professional baseball, etching out legendary moments both on and off the field.