Time for Duncan to shine
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 07, 2007 
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The Yankees need a first baseman. Now and in the future.
Here’s your shot, Eric Duncan.
Today’s draft reminded me about all the hoopla that accompanied the Yankees taking Duncan with their first-round pick in 2003 out of Seton Hall Prep in New Jersey. To be gracious, he’s still developing. To be honest, he’s been a huge disappointment.
Duncan came into this season having hit only .253 with 49 homers in 404 minor-league games. He’s at .242/.339/.369 this season with 10 extra-base hits in 44 games. He’s not on anybody’s prospect list any more.
Duncan is only 22, so you can’t write him off. But opportunity is staring him in the face. The Yankees aren’t going to get away with Miguel Cairo and Josh Phelps forever. They need somebody to play first and it could be him if he gets hot and forces the issue.
Duncan really needs to figure out how to hit lefties. That’s his biggest problem right now. He’s cut down on his strikeouts pretty well which used to be his biggest concern. If he doesn’t get this lefty thing figured out, he’s got a future as a platoon player.
Pete,
The problem is, Eric Duncan represents the old way the Yankees ran their scouting department/draft.
He would have never been a first round pick had Damon Oppenheimer been in control, as he is today.
Its not Duncan’s fault. He was drafted WAY too high, which increased the expectations and that’s how you miss with first round picks.
Good kid, most likely a career minor league player. Even though he is only 22, he isn’t a good hitter. Perhaps a platoon-type bench player down the road. But, that’s it, IMO. Thankfully, the Yankees run their scouting/draft differently now.
At the moment, his future is as a backup utility player. It’s all on him now. He’s had many opportunities to push the issue, but has fallen flat everytime. I don’t see him making that push, but again, it’s all on him now. The fact that the Yanks pulled Phelps in the Rule 5 speaks volumes in their confidence in him at the moment. If you’d rather play a Rule 5 over your top pick, he’s got issues. It may be day late dollar short.
Cairo is ‘da Man!
I love it a baserunning threat
Also, Duncan is a LH hitter and not a good defensive player.
So, even if he gets hot (which is doubtful), he doesn’t really help.
They are going to have to go outside the organization to find a first baseman for the rest of the season, and the future, IMO.
Duncan’s been making better contact lately and his numbers reflect that… He’s a 22-year-old who’s overmatched in AAA, he needs time (and good health).
I know people can get impatient, but it’s way too early to give up on him.
I saw him in trenton last year…he reminds me of Todd Helton is size, stance, etc…I think the Yankees pushed him through the system- always playing way above his head- and in hopes it would make him attractive as a trade piece, but nobody bit.
He is STILL young to be in AAA at 22…so there is time, but baseball is so much about confidence I can’t imagine he has a lot of it anymore
At .312/ .395/ .477 in 109 AB according to baseball-reference.com, Klesko is having a better year than Rich Aurilla, but Aurilla is supposed to be the ’07 Giants’ starting 1B cuz he’s through next year including $4.5M next year.
Klesko, a lefthanded hitter, could bat eighth between Cano and Cabrera. Phelps and Cairo could still get some time at 1B.
Starting Nine/ Batting Order:
Damon/Jeter/Abreu/A-Rod/Matsui/Posada/Cano/Klesko/Cabrera
Bench: Nieves/Phelps/Cairo/Thompson or Basak
Rotation: Wang/Pettitte/Mussina/Clemens/Clippard
Bullpen: Mo/Bruney/Proctor/Myers/Villone/Farnsworth
Henn or Britton
SJ44,
you are definitely justified in your very blunt and straight-up assessment. However, I do think he can still really break out. His K/BB ratio is really what stands out to me. He walks a good amount, and rarely strikes out. Considering there are guys like 25 yd old Kevin Kouzmanoff who is only now starting for San Diego, Duncan does have some time. I would still think he has a year or two.
You also have to remember he’s been injuried. Let him have a healhty few months.
Hasn’t Duncan been bounced between 1B & 3B as well?
Damn Detroit! He was so close to being a Yankee!
Ugh… you guys had me excited for Porcello… who do you think we will get now?
Most likely either Borbon, Harvey or Brackman. All of which are Boras clients
Duncan’s not on the 40 man on the Yankee website. Did they make a roster mover to bring him up? What does that say about Phillips?
red light curt is currently thorowing a perfect game. jinx jinx jinx
Torre believes Phillips needs to be an everyday player, and he’s not going to be that on this team. I still don’t like the platoon idea, and think getting Teixeira is the best option.
porcello is gone, espn is overjoyed of course. i hate the tigers.
Well the perfecto is indeed toast, as Lugo makes an error. Heh.
Brackman is a good pick…..Now lets go A’s break that no-no here in the 6th!!!!!!!!!
And Blanton is throwing a two-hitter. It the bottom of the 6th and the wheels will be coming off Curt’s wagon soon.
rbj, duncan started as a third baseman but when they traded for arod they moved him to first
murphydog he doesn’t have to be on the 40 man roster yet, i think next year is the first year he has to be on it.
Shannon Stewart has a fan in me!
Poor Curt!
I’ve seen him several times—at Trenton and at Scranton. Barring a dramatic turnaround, I can’t see Eric Duncan ever making it big. Think Drew Henson.
Phelps need to play 1st but he needs to be caddied for like Giambi was.The thing he could do that would impress me is join Damon in 1B drills.