PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto had 174 at-bats in the regular season last year. That was too few to have been a legitimate candidate for the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2015. And too many at-bats (by 44) to be eligible this upcoming season.

Still, having played in a World Series before ever even being invited to a major league camp for spring training will have to suffice.

"It's tough for me to be bummed about having too many big-league at-bats. I wouldn't say that," Conforto said Wednesday morning, after reporting to his first Mets big league camp. "It is what it is. And I wouldn't trade anything for my experience last year. The fact that the Rookie of the Year thing is out of the question now, that's not a concern of mine. I'm just hoping to be able to contribute as much as I can to this team, and obviously try to finish the job this year."

Conforto, 22, hit .270 with nine homers and 26 RBIs in 56 regular-season games last year with the Mets. He exclusively played left field.

This season, the Mets are expected to have Conforto get some exposure to right field. When the Mets face a left-handed pitcher, Conforto might on occasion slide over to right field, with Juan Lagares in center field and Yoenis Cespedes in left field. General manager Sandy Alderson earlier this month ruled out using Cespedes in right field.

At Oregon State, Conforto played right field seven times as a freshman, in 2012.

"I played various times just in spring training -- they'd just throw me out there," Conforto added, referring to minor league camp. "I feel very comfortable. And, obviously, I'm going to get the chance to work on that this spring training. That was one of the things that I worked on when I was back home, just making sure I get reps from both sides of the outfield and being comfortable. I haven't played in an actual game [in right field] since my freshman year of college. That's what spring training is for, and we're going to work on that stuff and make sure everything is good to go."

Manager Terry Collins did not use Conforto much against left-handed pitching last season. He had only 15 plate appearances against southpaws at the major league level, including only one start -- in his July 24 debut against Los Angeles Dodgers southpaw Ian Thomas.

Cespedes' re-signing will make it challenging, but the Mets are determined to make Conforto more of a full-time player this year -- or, at least, have him face left-handed starters with more regularity. That might mean Curtis Granderson sitting on occasion against a southpaw and Conforto playing right field.

Conforto actually hit .333 in 51 at-bats against left-handed pitching and .303 in 122 at-bats against right-handed pitching last season with Double-A Binghamton before his promotion to the majors.

"I think I'm going to get some at-bats against lefties this spring training," Conforto said. "I'm very excited about that. I feel comfortable. I never really want to make that a thing that gets into my mind. If anything, I think it kind of balances me out a little bit. I'm just excited to get the opportunity this year."