Conforto’s hot-streak continues during Giants’ 6-3 win

May 16, 2023, 8:55 AM | Updated: 8:56 am

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 15: Michael Conforto #8 of the San Francisco Giants rounds the base...

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

After missing all of the 2022 season due to a shoulder injury, Michael Conforto’s return to Major League Baseball had a rocky start over the first month of the 2023 regular season.

The 30-year-old hit .205 while striking out 30 times (against 12 walks and 16 hits) during the month of April as the San Francisco Giants struggled to an 11-16 start.

As we enter mid-May, Conforto is turning the page on his rough start.

The outfielder’s three-run shot was the difference during Monday night’s 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Oracle Park. The Giants got back into the W column following a rough series in Arizona thanks to Conforto’s opposite-field blast.

Two on, two out for Conforto 💥 pic.twitter.com/0XI4GRxvQQ

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) May 16, 2023

“I think today was just a good swing and being ready for a fastball first pitch,” Conforto said of his home run following Monday’s win. “Not missing it, not fouling it back, staying inside and driving the ball. It’s what I’ve been working on. I’ve been trying to get to that spot, so it feels really good to execute on that one.”

Conforto has been locked in over the past six games, hitting four homers and driving in seven runs while batting .381 and holding an on-base percentage of .458 over 21 at-bats.

“I like the way he’s swinging the bat,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said of Conforto’s recent success at the plate.

“I kind of like the way he’s swinging the bat most of the season, except he’s been making better swing decisions of late. You’re seeing the combination of a really good swing and good swing decisions coming together at the right time and making more consistent hard contact.”

After missing out on marquee free agents Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa, the Giants shifted their attention to Conforto, a player that was in line for a big contract before suffering a shoulder injury at the end of the 2020 season.

If Conforto can produce at even half of the rate he’s been contributing over the past week, San Francisco will have another bat in the lineup that can be a constant threat in the box.

“It’s been great hitting the ball out of the ballpark, but I still feel like I’ve got to keep working,” Conforto said on Monday.

“I’ve got to keep doing the things that have brought me to this point. I’ve got a good routine in the cage now. Hopefully we can keep doing a lot more of that stuff. Hit the ball out of the ballpark, use the whole field and just be a tough out.”