"Well that was quick!"
While it was very nice while it lasted, the New York Mets' time portal into the future officially closed this afternoon as general manager Sandy Alderson demoted their number two prospect Michael Conforto to the Las Vegas 51s (Triple-A) to make room for Yoenis Cespedes.
Conforto, who was the 10th overall pick in last year's MLB Draft, rose quickly through the Mets' system this season (despite only touching Single-A Short Season in 2014) by reaching Binghamton (Double-A) at the end of May thanks to a .283 average, 7 home runs, and 28 RBIs in 45 games with St. Luice (Single-A Advanced).
Although the former Oregon State Beaver star's power numbers declined slightly with New York's (NL) second highest affiliate, he continued to hit opposing pitchers very well with a .312 average and 5 round-trippers in addition to 26 RBIs, ultimately prompting Alderson to recall MLB.com's 19th prospect.
After a hitless ML debut, the 2015 All-Star Futures Game selection finally made his presence felt in "The Big Apple" with an incredible 4-4, 2 double, 1 RBI performance in a 15-2 Mets' win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Unfortunately for the six foot, once inch outfielder, he picked the worst time to start slumping and has since not recorded a hit (12 at bats) in four games after the perfect performance, most likely leading to his optioning for the newly acquired Yoenis Cespedes.
So even though he has reached the Major Leagues, Michael Conforto will suit up in his Pacific Coast League debut tomorrow night (Triple-A) at Cashman Field against former New York Yankees' starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang and the Tacoma Rainiers.
With a 3-2 win against division rival Washington in Cespedes' debut, the 54-50 New York Mets will enter tomorrow one game back of the Nationals for the lead in the NL East and two and a half games back of the Chicago Cubs, who hold the last Wild Card spot in the National League.