Jeff Duncan (baseball)

Infobox MLB retired

---

width=150
name=Jeff Duncan
position=Outfielder
bats=Left
throws=Left
birthdate=birthdate and age|1978|12|9
Harvey, Illinois
deathdate=
debutdate=May 20
debutyear=by|2003
debutteam=New York Mets
finaldate=May 5
finalyear=by|2004|
finalteam=New York Mets
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.276
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=1
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=11
teams=
*New York Mets (by|2003-by|2004)
highlights=

Jeffrey Matthew Duncan (born December 9, 1978 in Harvey, Illinois) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Duncan played for the New York Mets in by|2003 and by|2004. He hit and threw left-handed.

Duncan graduated from Lemont High School where he played baseball. Earlier in his high school days he went to Lincoln Way High School where he was also an All-State hockey player. [http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=425512 Jeff Duncan] at MLB.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.] He was chosen by the Chicago Cubs in the 41st round of the by|1997 Major League Baseball Draft, but chose to attend Iowa State University instead. [http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/duncan_jeff00.html Jeff Duncan profile] at Arizona State University Athletics web site. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.] A year later, he transferred to Arizona State University. When he was drafted by the Mets in the 7th round of the by|2000 draft, he agreed to a contract. His professional career started slowly with a batting average of .242 for the short-season A-level Pittsfield Mets in 2000 and only .217 with the A-level Capital City Bombers in by|2001. He had few RBI in the two seasons, but registered 61 stolen bases. Duncan's hitting broke through in by|2002 with an average well over .300 for two A-level teams. His season was interrupted twice by right hamstring injuries. [http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=425512&y=2002 Jeff Duncan - 2002 Highlights] at MLB.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.]

In 2003, Duncan hit well at Double-A Binghamton. In mid-May, the New York Mets were already well out of first place and on the way to their worst season since by|1993. Duncan was called up to the majors and made his debut on May 20, 2003. After three games and one start, Duncan was back in Binghamton until mid-July. [http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=425512&y=2003 Jeff Duncan - 2003 Highlights] at MLB.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.] When he returned to the majors, he collected 12 hits in 11 games and his average stood at .400. This turned out to be the lone good hitting streak of his career. In August 2003, he hit .106 with no RBI and spent a short time with the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. His .200 average in September was punctuated by the only three-hit game of his career.

Duncan was back in the majors with the Mets in 2004, but after only one hit in 15 at bats through May 5, Duncan was back in the minors. He hit under .260 at both the Double-A and Triple-A levels of the Mets' system and was not brought back to the majors. In by|2005, he hit only .245 with the Double-A Binghamton Mets and was released on August 11. Duncan was soon signed as a free agent by the San Diego Padres. Although he hit .300 for Double-A Mobile, San Diego did not re-sign him after the season. In by|2006, Duncan hit .299 with the Los Angeles Dodgers' Triple-A Las Vegas 51s, but did not play in the majors. He signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on November 10, 2006, but was released on July 3, by|2007.

After his release, he signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League, but was released on May 21, by|2008; he immediately retired. [ [http://www.somersetpatriots.com/roster/transactions/index.html?p=200805 "Patriots transactions"] . May 21, 2008, "somersetpatriots.com". Retrieved on June 1, 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/D/Pduncj001.htm Jeff Duncan] at Retrosheet
*baseball-reference|id=d/duncaje01|name=Jeff Duncan
* [http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/D/Jeff-Duncan.shtml Jeff Duncan] at The Baseball Cube