Duncan

[K-Town]

Chris Duncan will never be an everyday player for the Cardinals. He's 25 and doesn't have a great track record. End of story.

 

It's hard to say that, right now. He's not quite 25 years old yet, and he's shown steady progress in his minor league career. If he was an average defensive outfielder right now (something he's never worked on), he'd probably be headed for a spot on the 25-man roster right now. If he impresses offensively at Memphis, and if he can learn to play an adequate outfield, then he's got a chance. It's not a GREAT chance, but it's a chance, nontheless. He's certainly not going to be worse than So Taguchi or John Rodriguez, offensively.

 

Say something negative about the Cardinals. Once.

 

 

They screwed up by signing Tino Martinez, and I'm still not thrilled about the Mulder trade.

 

That's two.

[Andy]

Chris Duncan will never be an everyday player for the Cardinals. He's 25 and doesn't have a great track record. End of story.

 

It's hard to say that, right now. He's not quite 25 years old yet, and he's shown steady progress in his minor league career. If he was an average defensive outfielder right now (something he's never worked on), he'd probably be headed for a spot on the 25-man roster right now. If he impresses offensively at Memphis, and if he can learn to play an adequate outfield, then he's got a chance. It's not a GREAT chance, but it's a chance, nontheless. He's certainly not going to be worse than So Taguchi or John Rodriguez, offensively.

 

Say something negative about the Cardinals. Once.

If I were a Cards fan, I wouldn't bother doing this. Their management always seems to know what they're doing, unlike some. :?

[UK1679666180]

If the Cards trade Pujols or re-attach Pujols' arm so he can throw the ball from the OF, I can see him sticking as an everyday player with the Cards.

 

He's terrible defensively at 1B and some consider him an option in the OF?

 

He's slow, stiff, and has no instincts in the OF. He's likely a worse of Jason Dubois without Jason's arm.

 

He projects to be a below avg. 1B or a better yet, a below avg. DH in the AL.

[wolf stansson]

I don't think anybody is proclaiming Duncan as the next Adam Dunn.

He is having a heck of a spring and looks like Adam Dunn, so naturally I am fond of him.

 

Appearance wise he isn't far off. Talent wise he is about as close as a cat to a tiger.

[Catman61]

Q: This is my first time submitting a question. I’m a third generation Cards fan, born on opening day. So, thanks for all the great coverage and the blog. It’s awesome work. … So, here’s my question: Chris Duncan? It seems like John Rodriguez isn’t going to get out of the gate enough to earn a spot and Larry Bigbie’s doing OK, but not setting the world on fire. So is So Taguchi and he figures to have a spot somewhere on the team (fourth outfielder or platoon in left). I know Duncan’s a recent transfer to the outfield, but seems to be hitting well and consistently. It’s early, but is he an option? Or is he definitely headed back to Memphis for another year?

 

– Matt Pedrolie

 

DG: He is definitely headed back to Memphis. Tony La Russa said so Sunday at Disney’s The Ballpark. The next day Duncan went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run that would have left many ballparks. Then on Tuesday, Duncan took Randy Johnson deep for his fourth home run of the spring. In his office after the game, La Russa reiterated his stance: Duncan is going to Triple-A. He is not in the mix for the left field job. Why? Duncan, a first baseman throughout his pro career, has limited experience in the outfield – limited to part-time last year and winter ball. Even this spring, he’s rotated between starting at first and starting in right field. If the Cardinals viewed Duncan’s future as a bench player, a part-time fielder with legit lefty pinch-hit power, then he would be cementing a job in the majors with this spring. Thing is, the Cardinals don’t see him that way anymore. His season in Memphis last summer convinced them – and this spring is cinching it – that Duncan’s future is as an everyday producer, a starter. Having him ride the bench in the majors would stunt that development. Putting him out everyday in field at Triple-A will groom him for a regular job … come 2007 … or, say, June.