By John Sickels
Posted on Tue Aug 01, 2006
http://www.minorleagueball.com/story/2006/8/1/154318/4368#commenttop
Is There Any Hope For Eric Duncan?
Eric Duncan was drafted by the Yankees in the first round in 2003, out of
high school in West Orange, New Jersey. His lefthanded power bat was
well-regarded by scouts, although there were mixed opinions about his ability
to remain at third base in the long run. He had a successful rookie debut,
then an adequate season in 2004 split between the Midwest League and the
Florida State League. Last year he was pushed to Double-A, where at 20 he was
one of the youngest players at that level. He did not do well, knocking 19
homers but hitting just .235 and striking out 136 times in 126 games.
This year the Yankees started him off in Triple-A, and he was even less
effective, hitting .209/.279/.255 in 31 games for Columbus. He was sent back
to Double-A Trenton in early June and has done better, hitting .266/.363/.532
with 10 homers. Nevertheless, overall he's been something of a disappointment
given his high draft status and lofty expectations. He has had a lot of
problems with breaking pitches. Is there hope for him?
Absolutely.
1.Duncan is still just 21 years old.
2.His strike zone judgment since being sent back to Double-A
has improved greatly. His BB/K ratio for Trenton this year
is 25/28 in 173 at-bats, compared to 59/136 in 451 at-bats
last year. He has increased his walk rate slightly, but cut
his strikeout rate almost in half compared to last season.
3.If Duncan had gone to college, 2006 would have been his draft
season. A player jumping from college ball to Double-A and
hitting .266/.363/.532 in his first try would be considered
an excellent prospect.
Duncan has suffered from being rushed, and there's no guarantee that he will
pan out in the way originally envisioned. But give up on him? It is way too
early for that. I doubt he'll ever hit for a great batting average, but his
power potential remains very intriguing.
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