Alumni Profile: Shelley Duncan

Power Hitter to make his major league debut

By: Robert Pimpsner

July 22, 2007 - It has been a long time since Shelley Duncan made his professional debut in 2001 with the Staten Island Yankees.  At that time Shelley was listed as an outfielder on the baby bombers’ roster, but everyday he suited up and was the team’s designated hitter.

Shelley was selected in the second round of the 2001 First Year Player draft out of the University of Arizona.  After he signed on June 17, Duncan was assigned to the Staten Island Yankees of the NY-Penn League.  Fans immediately warmed up to big outfielder as he became one of most popular players in team history.  His number 41 jersey was the same that was worn by Chien-Ming Wang the year prior.  Shelley did not disappoint as he tried to fulfill every autograph or photograph request.

            After making his professional debut with the SI Yankees, Shelley began the climb up to the big leagues.  In 2002 he played for the Greensboro Bats of the South Atlantic League.  In his first full season in the Yankees Organization, he belted 14 homeruns in 101 games.  His performance earned him a promotion the next season to the Advanced-A Tampa Yankees in the Florida State League (FSL).  In 2003 Shelley played just 91 games where he hit 8 home runs, 2 triples and 19 doubles.

            Duncan made his return to the Tampa Yankees the following year, but this time fielding a new position.  Now manning first base Duncan went deep 19 times while belting 27 two baggers.  That earned him a promotion to the Trenton Thunder for the 2005 season, where he did not disappoint.  Shelley led the league with 34 homeruns as well as taking the homerun derby at the All-Star Game. 

            2006 was a tough year for the Yankees farm hand as he battled through injury and split the season between the Double-A Trenton Thunder and the Triple-A Columbus Clippers.  Shelley belted just 20 homeruns in 2006, but did impress the Yankees enough to start the 2007 season in Triple-A.  Duncan played in 91 games for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees this season.  In those 91 games, he set a new Scranton/Wilkes-Barre record for homeruns with 25 and batted .295.

            Shelley Duncan’s strong performance this season opened the organization’s eyes and they did not waist anytime after his 25^th homerun.  Duncan was called up to the New York Yankees on Friday, July 20 to take the roster spot of fellow former SI Yankee Kevin Thompson.

Shelley sported the same number 17 that he wore with the Triple-A club and in his first Major League game he went 1 for 4 with an RBI single.  New York fans would get to see his power stroke in his second game where he hit his first Major League homerun.  He did not disappoint fans as in his third game, Duncan went deep twice.

Could this be the beginning of a major league career for the once Staten Island Yankee, only time will tell.  However Duncan is soaking it all up and enjoying his first shot.