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Chicago Cubs Online > Back to the Minors > Cubs Draft Profile: Michael Conforto

Cubs Draft Profile: Michael Conforto

June 1, 2014 5:45 pm By Neil 4 Comments

Michael Conforto
  • Position: Outfield
  • School: Oregon State (College), Junior
  • Bats: L, Throws: R
  • DOB: March 1, 1993 Height: 6-foot-2, Weight: 217

Scouting Grades from MLB.com – Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

MLB.com uses the 20-80 scouting scale for future tools: 20-30 – well below average | 40 – below average | 50 – average | 60 – above average | 70-80 – well above average

Michael Conforto is considered the third best position player in the upcoming draft, behind Alex Jackson and Nick Gordon, two other players believed to be at the top of the Cubs board, but he might be the best hitter of the three.

Michael Conforto’s best tool is he is a left handed power hitter that scouts have projected could translate into 20-25 home runs annually, and the talent is there for 25-plus homers.

The Cubs system is a little light on left handed hitters that project to hit with power, especially in the outfield. Dan Vogelbach projects as a first baseman with little chance of moving to a corner outfield spot. And the Cubs would like to add more lefties to the system, especially ones that can hit the ball over the wall.

Michael Conforto has above-average bat speed and is very strong with plus-raw power. The ball reportedly jumps off his bat. Conforto shortened his swing this spring and changed his approach at the plate that resulted in more walks than strikeouts. Conforto ranked second in the country in walks and led the country in OBP. Conforto projects to hit 20-25 home runs in the big leagues. There is a lot of swing and miss in his game but he will not chase or expand his zone.

Conforto hits with an open stance and has a smooth swing with lift to go along with his excellent (above-average) bat speed.

Michael Conforto is considered to be a bat-first player but has improved his fringy defense according to Baseball America. Reports have labeled his glove as adequate for left field with average arm strength.

Michael Conforto Video

Michael Conforto followed up his 2013 season in which he hit .328/.447/.526 with 14 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs and a .974 OPS with a very good Junior season. In 56 games this year, Conforto hit .351/.506/.557 with 15 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and a 1.062 OPS. Conforto, for the first time in his college career, walked (51) more than he struck out (35).

Cubs Draft Profiles
  • Alex Jackson (with Video)
  • Kyle Freeland (with Video)
  • Aaron Nola (with Video)
  • Max Pentecost (with Video)
  • Tyler Beede (with Video)
  • Nick Gordon (with Video)
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Filed Under: Back to the Minors Tagged With: Alex Jackson, Cubs 2014 Draft, Cubs Draft, Michael Conforto, Rule 4 Draft

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