Checking In With Shelley Duncan

Shelley Duncan became an instant fan-favorite during the middle of the 2007 season, smacking seven homers in 34 games and earning praise for his energetic and exuberant style of play. He never really stuck in the majors and spent the majority of the next two seasons amassing a .262 AVG and 42 home runs in 183 Triple-A games, earning International MVP honors in 2009. After getting sent outright to Scranton, Duncan elected to become a free agent. He eventually signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians, where he is currently battling for a backup first baseman and outfield job:

“I don’t really think about (the competition). If I start thinking about that, I’ll take focus off the work I need to get done. As long as I take care of myself, focus on myself and what I need to do to get ready for the season, I’ll put myself in position that I need to be in.”

Duncan went on to talk about his 2009 season with the Scranton Yanks:

“It was my third year in the league, a lot of experience. I didn’t really change much. As you get older you get wiser and get better. It’s a case of being in a place that I’m comfortable. I was really trying to work my way out of that league and unfortunately just didn’t really have a spot open up.”

Always a classy guy. Duncan will compete with Andy Marte, Beau Mills, Chris Gimenez and Wes Hodges for a bench spot. He currently has two hits in three games this spring.