PORT ST. LUCIE — Michael Conforto’s bid to become an everyday player for the Mets involves batting-practice pitching screens with the arm slot placed at different angles.
It’s here on the back fields of the team’s spring training complex that Conforto works with hitting coach Kevin Long on developing a consistent approach against left-handed pitching.
Long, a lefty, throws batting practice to Conforto, giving the 23-year-old outfielder the repetition he needs, and — just as importantly — a trained set of eyes.
“[Lucas] Duda has done it for a while, [Curtis] Granderson has done it for a while, — it’s a matter of just getting reps,” Long said Wednesday, referring to his program.