Adam Duvall hit three home runs with the Giants in 2014, his lone season with the team that selected him in the 11th round of the 2010 MLB Draft.
The next season, he was the extra throw in piece to be traded to the Cincinnati Reds in order to acquire starting pitcher Mike Leake. Pitching prospect Keury Mella was the prize that the Reds coveted. Little did they know, the extra piece, Duvall, would be their lone All-Star in this year's Midsummer Classic.
“It’s a tremendous honor just to be named with those guys (on the All-Star team),” Duvall said to reporters after learning he made the National League roster as a reserve for the All-Star Game.
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With 22 home runs in 79 games this season, Duvall is tied for second to just Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (25) in the NL. Only Todd Frazier (23) and Mark Trumbo (24) have hit more balls over the wall in the American League than Duvall.
At 27 years old, Duvall is getting his first taste of playing every day. Upon his trade to the Reds last season, he only played in 27 games for Cincinnati. His 286 at-bats through July 5, are more than double the at-bats he had in the majors (137) all of the last two seasons combined.
And he's taking advantage of the opportunity with the Reds to display the power he used to show in the minors for the Giants. While Duvall has 22 long balls, his plate appearances have been very home run or bust.
San Francisco Giants
Duvall is only batting .252 with a .290 on-base percentage and has struck out 84 times compared to 15 walks. But his .559 slugging percentage is good for ninth in the NL.
In five-and-a-half minor league seasons with the Giants' organization, Duvall slugged 126 home runs in 600 games played.
The MLB All-Star Game is being played in the San Diego Padres' Petco Park on July 12.