The expectations for the Los Angeles Dodgers coming into the 2025 season were incredibly high. Some even suggested they may surpass the 116 wins in a season threshold. However, it appears that they will not cross the 100-win threshold, much less go for the most wins in a season. Yes, they have battled injuries this year, but they did last year, too, and still won the World Series. Could it be that what many considered an offensive juggernaut of a lineup has underperformed? Yes, and no one has struggled more in the Dodgers lineup this year than Michael Conforto. The question is, how long will the Conforto experience last? Or should it already be over?
Time Running Short on Michael Conforto in a Dodgers Uniform
Hope Does Not Spring Eternal
When Conforto signed with the Dodgers for $17 million this winter, the hope was that he would supplement an already potent lineup. He spent the 2024 season playing for the San Francisco Giants in a not-so-hitter-friendly park, and he had a decent year. The thought was he would flourish at Dodger Stadium, which isn’t as cavernous, and have a good year where he would get good pitches to hit because of the superstars around him. It hasn’t worked out that way.
The Truth Hurts
The veteran left-fielder has not had a batting average over .200 since the first two weeks of the season. Normally, he hits close to .250 with power. His batting average today is .183. Conforto’s average with runners in scoring position is even lower, hovering around .130. No, that’s not a misprint. His OPS is 150 points lower than his career figure, and he has struck out nearly 100 times..
A Mirage
The Dodgers had a July to forget. However, it seemed Michael Conforto was showing signs of life. His batting average and on-base percentage were in the top three on the team approaching the July 31 trade deadline. Los Angeles did make a trade for a corner outfielder, but it wasn’t the one most fans wanted. Management was betting on their primary left fielder to complete the turnaround. Unfortunately, it hasn’t happened. Conforto has hit .114 for the month of August thus far. If that isn’t enough, he is batting .173 against right-handed pitchers.
Meanwhile, their recent addition, right-handed batting Alex Call, has a .245 batting average against the same pitchers, and Call plays better defense. The penchant to miss quite hittable pitches seems to happen when the Dodgers need a crucial hit has seemed to replay over and over. The Dodgers have given him over 300 at-bats in order to turn it around.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) August 26, 2025
Getting Healthy
Kiké Hernández was just activated from the injured list, and Hyeseong Kim will return later this week. Both can play the outfield. Tommy Edman will join the club early in September. Therefore, the Dodgers will have more than enough players to patrol the outfield and be more effective offensively.
The Last Word
The Dodgers need contributions from every roster spot. They are in a dogfight for the National League West division with the San Diego Padres. If they want to play deep into October, Los Angeles should cut their losses and let left fielder Michael Conforto go. They need to, and can, find better production elsewhere.
Main Photo Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
The post Time Should Be Up for Dodgers Left Fielder appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.