Top Bounce-Back Candidate For 2023: San Francisco Giants

As we continue our look around the league at the top bounce-back candidate from each team, we turn our attention to the San Francisco Giants. This team, as a whole, is looking for a big bounce-back in 2023, and they must have had that in mind when they signed free agent Michael Conforto. 

The 29-year-old outfielder is looking for a huge bounce-back, from missing the entire 2022 season and struggling in his contract year in 2021. 

Conforto suffered a shoulder injury during the lockout in the last offseason, and that prevented him from being healthy enough to sign a contract for 2022. He had surgery to repair the right shoulder, and hopes to be able to recapture his past stroke. 

The seven-year veteran had four straight solid seasons for the New York Mets, from 2017 through 2020, starting that run with an All-Star berth. His OPS+ over his first six seasons was an impressive 128, and he recorded three straight years with at least 27 homers. 

But Conforto fell on hard times in '21, as his batting average fell to .232 and his OPS to .729, both far below his career marks. 

Hopefully, he'll be able to return at full health from the shoulder surgery — a procedure which sometimes can sap power from hitters. According to Taylor Wirth of Bay Area NBC Sports, Conforto "still is rehabbing and hopes to be healthy enough to play the field in spring training and 100 percent healthy by Opening Day." 

The Giants' offseason additions could shore up the outfield this season https://t.co/atkQdDZDEz

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) February 5, 2023

Incidentally, Conforto's fellow Giants free agent signee in the outfield, Mitch Haniger, is also a bounce-back candidate, as he attempts to come back from an injury-plagued 11-HR season, following his 39-HR 2021. 

They're hoping for bounce-backs all around in The Bay Area. 

Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports