Why Michael Conforto Will Resurge With the Dodgers in 2025

The Los Angeles Dodgers are known for their ability to turn struggling players into stars. This has been a key component of their success over the years, and the 2025 season could be no different, especially with the potential resurgence of outfielder Michael Conforto. After a challenging period in his career, Conforto seems primed for a return to prominence, and the Dodgers may be the perfect team to help him achieve that. With a mixture of factors such as a renewed sense of confidence, the Dodgers’ track record of rejuvenating players, and Conforto’s skill set, his comeback in 2025 could be a story of redemption and triumph.

The Michael Conforto Journey

Michael Conforto’s career, like many others, has had its ups and downs. The former New York Mets star was once considered one of the brightest young outfielders in the game. Drafted in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft, Conforto quickly made a name for himself with a potent bat and solid defensive skills. Over his first few years, he showcased his power, patience at the plate, and ability to drive in runs, earning a spot as one of the Mets’ premier players.

However, Conforto’s trajectory took a hit when he experienced some significant struggles. After an impressive 2021 season, Conforto’s 2022 campaign was marred by injuries and a decline in performance, leading him to a difficult period in his career. His inability to perform at the level he was once capable of, combined with injuries, left many questioning whether he would be able to regain his form.

The Dodgers, a team with a rich history of talent development and player revitalization, could very well be the team that helps Conforto find his groove again. Their environment fosters improvement, and they’ve proven adept at turning players who were once struggling into valuable assets. Here’s why 2025 could mark Michael Conforto’s resurgence with the Dodgers.

1. The Dodgers’ Track Record of Rejuvenating Players

Los Angeles has long been a landing spot for players looking for a fresh start, and the team has a well-established track record of reviving careers. Take Justin Turner, for example. Turner was a journeyman before the Dodgers took a chance on him, and under their coaching, he transformed into one of the best hitters in the league. Similarly, Max Muncy and Chris Taylor have both experienced career resurgences after joining the Dodgers. These success stories provide a strong case that Conforto could be the next player in line to benefit from the Dodgers’ development system.

Under the tutelage of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and a coaching staff led by Mark McGwire, the team focuses not only on maximizing a player’s skill set but also on their mental and emotional development. For a player like Conforto, whose struggles may have been both physical and psychological, the opportunity to work with a dedicated staff that can address both aspects could be a game-changer. The Dodgers’ analytics team also plays a significant role in their success, leveraging data to help players improve their swing mechanics and approach at the plate. Given Conforto’s raw ability, the Dodgers’ system could unlock his potential once again.

2. A Change of Scenery and Mental Reset

Sometimes a player simply needs a fresh environment to rejuvenate their career. After years of playing in New York, Conforto might benefit from the change of scenery that Los Angeles offers. The Dodgers provide a laid-back atmosphere, and with their consistent success, they foster a culture of winning and confidence. These factors could be exactly what Conforto needs to reset mentally and physically.

In a city like Los Angeles, he would be able to escape the weight of playing in a major media market like New York, which can sometimes magnify struggles. The Dodgers’ fanbase is passionate but also supportive, creating a positive environment for players to thrive. This mental reset could be critical for Conforto, who’s dealt with injuries, inconsistency, and the pressure of high expectations. Being in a new environment, surrounded by a team with a winning pedigree and established veterans, could help him rediscover his love for the game and get back to playing at the level we saw in earlier years.

3. The Dodgers’ Need for a Consistent Bat

The Dodgers’ offense has been one of the most potent in the league in recent years, and with the departures of players like Justin Turner, Trea Turner, and Cody Bellinger, they’ll need to continue to find ways to keep their offense humming. Conforto, with his left-handed bat and ability to hit for both average and power, fits the mold of a player the Dodgers could use in their lineup.

What makes Conforto particularly intriguing is his ability to be a versatile bat in the middle of the lineup. The Dodgers love having a well-rounded lineup, one that can provide power, get on base, and drive in runs. Conforto’s previous seasons showed that he could be a productive hitter with a solid on-base percentage and the ability to hit home runs. If he can stay healthy, he could slide into a role as a middle-of-the-order bat, offering the Dodgers some much-needed balance.

Furthermore, with Mookie Betts at the top of the lineup and Freddie Freeman in the heart of it, Conforto would be surrounded by players who can both get on base and provide protection in the lineup. If he can regain his form, the opportunity to contribute alongside such prolific hitters would be a major advantage.

4. Conforto’s Plate Discipline and Natural Ability

One of Conforto’s strongest traits in his prime was his plate discipline. Even in his down years, he was able to maintain a respectable walk rate, which suggests that his eye for the strike zone remains sharp. This discipline has always been a key to his success. At his peak, Conforto showed the ability to hit for both power and average, with a knack for hitting to all fields and avoiding extended slumps. These skills, while underutilized in recent years, have not disappeared; they’re just waiting to be reawakened.

The fact that Conforto is only in his late 20s (he’ll be 31 in 2025) also suggests that he still has plenty of prime years ahead of him. His body may be fresh after recovering from injuries and an inconsistent 2022 season. If he can recapture the mechanics and timing that made him successful in the past, there’s no reason he can’t return to being a .250/.350/.470 hitter, which is what he posted in his prime years with the Mets.

5. The Influence of Dodgers’ Coaching Staff

A significant factor that could contribute to Conforto’s success is the Dodgers’ coaching staff, particularly McGwire, a former MLB slugger who has built a reputation for helping hitters rediscover their form. McGwire has worked with several players on tweaking their swing mechanics and improving their approach at the plate. If Conforto is able to spend time with McGwire and the coaching team, his swing mechanics could be fine-tuned, helping him hit the ball with more authority and consistency.

The Dodgers have long embraced a data-driven approach to baseball, and their analytics team is among the best in the business. This data-driven model can help identify minor adjustments in Conforto’s approach that could yield major improvements. Whether it’s his launch angle, exit velocity, or pitch recognition, the data could guide him toward making subtle adjustments that could significantly improve his numbers.

6. The Fit in the Dodgers’ Outfield

In 2025, the Dodgers’ outfield will likely have a mix of familiar faces like Mookie Betts and Chris Taylor. Conforto, with his ability to play all three outfield positions, provides valuable depth and flexibility. This versatility allows manager Dave Roberts to give Conforto regular playing time while not being locked into a specific position. His ability to cover multiple spots in the outfield ensures he’ll have a place in the lineup every day, especially when injuries inevitably arise.

Conforto’s presence will help mitigate the loss of some of the team’s previous outfielders, while also providing a left-handed option to balance out the predominantly right-handed Dodgers lineup. His ability to handle right-handed pitchers, combined with a potential platoon advantage, could be the perfect recipe for a successful year.

Michael Conforto’s 2025 resurgence with the Dodgers seems inevitable when considering the team’s history of rejuvenating players, his own natural talent, and the opportunity for a fresh start in a supportive environment. The combination of solid coaching, a mentally reset player, and an ideal fit in the Dodgers’ outfield all point toward a successful season.

With his plate discipline, natural ability, and the benefit of the Dodgers’ infrastructure, Conforto could emerge as one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2025 season. If he can stay healthy and find his rhythm in Los Angeles, Conforto has the chance to be an important contributor to the Dodgers’ championship aspirations, and his journey could be a testament to how a player can come full circle with the right team, mindset, and opportunity.