Mets outfielder Michael Conforto selected as National League All-Star

Confirming what Mets fans have known for some time, Michael Conforto has been named to the National League All-Star team as a reserve outfielder. He will be the lone Met in Miami for the 88th All-Star game.

Conforto’s selection is well deserved, especially considering his path through the majors so far. After being called up in 2015, he hit .270/.335/.506, and helped carry the Mets to a World Series appearance. His second year in the majors proved to be much more difficult, struggling at the plate while spending time scuttling between the Mets, Triple-A Las Vegas, and the disabled list. Entering 2017, it seemed as if Conforto would be the odd man out of the lineup, as the Mets had failed (perhaps fortuitously) to trade Jay Bruce during the offseason.

His chance would come when an injury to Juan Lagares allowed space on the Opening Day roster, and since then he’s done nothing but prove that he not only belongs in the majors, but could be the face of the franchise for years to come. In just half a season, Conforto has hit .285/.405/.548, 150 wRC+, and is worth 2.2 fWAR. His .953 OPS is 12th in the Major Leagues.

Notably absent from the All-Star roster are Jacob deGrom, Jay Bruce, and Yoenis Cespedes, who have all either been mentioned as possible selections or have appeared on the leaderboard for All-Star balloting.

The All-Star game will be played on Tuesday, July 11.