SF Giants’ Duffy vs. LA Dodgers’ Pederson
Duffy replaced the Panda as the SF Giants’ third baseman
2015.09.01 – Matt Duffy and Joc Pederson are contenders for this year’s National League Rookie of the Year race. What makes Duffy a contender? He just replaced the 3 times World Series champion Pablo Sandoval as the San Francisco Giants’ third baseman.
Matt Duffy is a 6-foot-2 rookie, 170 pounds after a big meal, has dispelled any yearning for Sandoval with such consistent and unexpected production, the Giants didn’t bother seeking an upgrade at the trade deadline.
“We look at him as our third baseman now and for the foreseeable future,’’ general manager Bobby Evans said.
2015.07.19 Matt Duffy – The Duffman Cometh! – Early highlights (video)
2015.07.19 Matt Duffy – The Duffman Cometh! – Early highlights (video)
Duffy, 24 began the season as a utility man and doesn’t exactly fit the profile of the prototypical third baseman.
Duffy is second among all rookies in wins above replacement (3.4), has the second highest batting average (.301) and the seventh-highest on-base-plus-slugging percentage (.797) among National League rookies.
He even compares closely to highly touted rookies Joc Pederson of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs, power hitters who have attracted national attention. Bryant trails Duffy in OPS, slugging percentage (SLG) and wins above replacement (WAR) and Pederson trails in SLG and WAR.
“They’re great baseball players, exciting baseball players,’’ Duffy said of his rookie of the year competitors. “To even be lumped into a conversation or even a footnote with them is exciting.’’
Duffy is perfectly aware he wasn’t supposed to be here, not in the role of starting third baseman and No. 3 hitter for the defending World Series champions.
The Giants had traded for Casey McGehee to replace the once-beloved Panda, who signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Boston Red Sox in the offseason, eschewing a similar offer from San Francisco.
Duffy earned a spot on the team as an infield backup only after batting .361 in his first major league training camp.
“He was our most productive offensive player in spring training,’’ Evans said. “He never let up.’’
Hoping to improve his strength, Duffy went through great efforts to gain weight in the offseason, setting an alarm so he would remember to eat something every hour, even if it was just a banana, a protein shake or an energy bar.
“If I ever felt hunger, I’d waited too long,’’ said Duffy, who did gain about 10 pounds to 180 but is now down to 170-175. “It was kind of a chore being full all the time. It definitely made eating not as pleasurable, but I understood what it was for and I knew I was going to be better because of it.’’
When McGehee faltered so badly he was demoted to Class AAA in late May, Duffy took over at third – a position he played in only three games in the minors – and never let go. He has grown into the position while demonstrating remarkable offensive consistency, batting .313 in May, .313 in June and .319 in July. McGehee, making $4.8 million – or $4.3 million more than Duffy – was released July 8.
Two weeks before that, manager Bruce Bochy moved Duffy to the third spot in the lineup ahead of Buster Posey, and has kept him there since. Duffy is hitting .312 with a .811 OPS in the 3-hole.
“He just kept coming up with big hit after big hit,’’ shortstop Brandon Crawford said. “He was hitting .300 when Casey was really struggling, so everybody could kind of see there was probably going to be a change. He has hit in the middle of the order for us consistently.’’
But Bochy said he’s not among those stunned by Duffy’s production, which includes nine homers, 48 RBI and a robust .457 slugging percentage. Bochy points to Duffy’s athleticism, his opposite-field approach and ability to turn on inside pitches as evidence he’s legit.
“I thought this last year: This kid’s going to hit for more power. I really thought that, watching his swing, his great balance,’’ Bochy said. “He rotates on the ball well. He’s a rotation hitter, and he has some strength. I thought he would start hitting, not many more home runs but doubles, and he’s got a few home runs too. I’m not surprised.’’
Hardly anyone saw Duffy’s ascent to contending for this year’s National League Rookie of the Year, possibly including himself. But for the San Francisco baseball fans, it sure has been fun to watch.
Read more at: San Francisco Giants Media Services / More AP MLB
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
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