Matt Duffy to Make Major League Debut Tonight Against Mets

Jun 6, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of baseballs before a game between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Some prospects are called up based on natural ability, as with Mike Foltynewicz earlier today, but others are granted promotions as a product of their play. Such is the case with infielder Matt Duffy, whom the San Francisco Giants have called up from Double-A Richmond, and who will make his major league debut tonight against the Mets.

Duffy, 23, had been tearing through Eastern league, hitting .332/.398/.444 with three home runs and 24 doubles through 96 games this season. He may have more slightly power than the meager three long balls would let on; he went yard nine times in 454 plate appearances between low and high-a last year.

That being said, Duffy was just an 18th round pick in 2012, and despite his overwhelming statistics through the first four months of the season, he was listed at just 18th on MLB.com’s mid-season of the Giants top 20 prospects. San Francisco does not have a deep system.

He had been playing shortstop in the minors, but he lacks the quickness to start at the position, especially in comparison to Brandon Crawford, and his upside is probably more of a utility-man than an everyday player.

Still, he should provide a boost at second base for the Giants, who had just been playing Dan Uggla and his .442 OPS at the position. He will perform particularly well if used in platoon with fellow rookie Joe Panik. Duffy had been hitting .349 with a .473 in 140 plate appearances against left-handers in Richmond.