David Duncan Stats & Scouting Report

Full name David Edward Duncan
Born 06/01/1986 in Atlanta, GA
Profile Ht.: 6'9" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Georgia Tech
Drafted in the 5th round (152nd overall) by the Houston Astros in 2008 (signed for $185,000).

View Draft Report

A highly touted recruit in 2005, Duncan was the top prep prospect in Ohio in his senior season and was drafted in the 14th round by the Twins, but he turned down pro ball to go to Georgia Tech. After starting 30 games in his first two college seasons, Duncan was eligible again as a sophomore and was selected by the Nationals in the 23rd round last year. He again elected not to sign and returned to Georgia Tech as its Friday night starter this season. Lefthanded and 6-feet-8, Duncan is an imposing figure on the mound, throws four pitches for strikes and still has projection as a starter. He complements his 88-92 mph fastball with a curveball, changeup and split-finger. The split is Duncan's out pitch and with its late sinking action, has the potential to be a plus pitch in the pros. While he does have decent strikeout numbers, Duncan is more of a groundball pitcher who thrives on the plane created from his height and his ability to pitch down in the zone.

Top Rankings

Duncan has been a frequent favorite on teams' draft boards, with the Twins taking him in the 14th round in 2005 out of high school--when he was rated the top prep prospect in Ohio--and the Nationals taking him in the 23rd round in 2007 as a draft-eligible sophomore. The Astros took him in the fifth round last year and signed him for $185,000, and it's understandable why they would dream on him as well. He's a big lefty who held down Georgia Tech's Friday night starter role the past two seasons, leading the Yellow Jackets in strikeouts and innings last year. Because of his size, he has the natural downward plane on his pitches and three legitimate weapons in his fastball, curve and splitter. The split is his out pitch and could be a plus pitch if he consistently commands it as a pro. His fastball sits around 88-92 mph, and he showed great command of it in his debut. The curve remains rudimentary, as it looks loopy and does not yet have the desired spin. Some people view Duncan as a potential set-up reliever, but the Astros will give him every chance to stick in a starter's role. He'll open 2009 at low Class A Lexington.