07JUNE2012
Oregon State outfielder Michael Conforto has been named Louisville Slugger’s Freshman of the Year.
Conforto, who also has been selected Pac-12 freshman of the year, hit .349 this season with 13 homers and 76 RBIs, setting a single-season school record. He was named to the all-tournament team at the Baton Rouge regional after hitting .429 with five RBIs in four games.
In addition, Conforto was named to the freshman all-America team by Collegiate Baseball.
Conforto played the final month of the season nursing a deep bruise on his right ankle and shin. He fouled a ball of his lead leg during the Stanford series and has played with pain ever since.
While enjoying a consistent rookie season, Conforto was passed over by the conference for player of the week honors throughout the season. OSU put his name forward on numerous occasions, but the final award he earned was better.
Beavers coach Pat Casey has been impressed all season by Conforto’s composure, maturity and consistency. The freshman set the school record for RBIs in a season in 53 games and his offensive numbers outstripped anything produced by a first-year player in Casey’s previous 17 years.
“I’ve never seen someone do that, not that early,” Casey said. “In the fall time he went through all the things a freshman 
goes through. His confidence just kept building and building and building. It’s unmatched in the time that I’ve been here.”
Conforto’s name was mentioned more than once in connection with Pac-12 player of the year candidacy. That award went to Arizona shortstop Alex Mejia, who led the conference with 81 hits while batting .357 for the co-champion Wildcats. Some say Conforto was slighted.
This summer, Conforto will be donning the red, white, and blue, as he suits up for the 2012 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. [Conforto accepts invitation to 2012 USA Collegiate National Team]
Filed under: 2012 USA CNT
Tagged with: 2012 USA CNT, Michael Conforto, Oregon State Beavers
