Adam Duvall

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #13 prospect in 2015
  Duvall and Chris Dominguez have been teammates both at Louisville and with the Giants. Dominguez was a higher pick (third round, 2009), but Duvall has had more success as a pro. A college shortstop and second baseman, Duvall has moved to third as a pro, but he's got below-average range there and has throwing accuracy issues that have made him unplayable in the big leagues. He stayed at first with San Francisco, where he's raw but has a chance to be a fringe-average defender. Duvall's calling card is his plus power. He has extremely strong hands that produce plenty of power, but thanks to a good understanding of the strike zone, he makes solid contact as well. His ability to backspin the ball generates plenty of carry. Duvall's power gives him a chance to stick around the big leagues, either as a backup corner bat in San Francisco or possibly for another team where he can play first base.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #11 prospect in 2013
  Duvall couldn't figure out why he felt so weak toward the end of spring training last year. A medical exam revealed that he had diabetes, and though he began the season 15 pounds under his normal weight while getting used to an insulin pump, he soon had his strength and stamina back. Though he was old for high Class A at age 23, he led the entire level with 30 homers and 100 RBIs. Signed for a mere $2,500 as an 11th-rounder in 2010, Duvall might be the most successful Giants farmhand at getting the barrel to fastballs. His tremendous top hand allows him to hit all pitches hard to all fields, and he has the most functional power in the system. It wasn't just a California League phenomenon, as he slugged .527 at hitter-unfriendly Augusta the previous year. He strikes out and may not hit for high averages, though he does draw walks. Almost all of Duvall's value comes from his power. He's a well below-average runner and a subpar defender at third base. He has average arm strength but lacks accuracy on this throws, so San Francisco is working to change him to a three-quarters arm slot. He lacks consistent footwork and his 29 errors easily led Cal League third basemen last year. The Giants once had visions of turning him into a second baseman along the lines of Jeff Kent, but that's unrealistic. If Duvall can continue his power production at Double-A this year, he could become part of San Francisco's future plans.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #28 prospect in 2012
  Duvall signed for just $2,500 as an 11th-rounder, he was old for low Class A at age 22 and his at-bats aren't likely to be found on an instructional video. But he just keeps hitting baseballs over the fence and grabbed the Giants' attention by hitting 22 homers at Augusta last year. He took home MVP honors at the South Atlantic League all-star game and probably would have topped 100 RBIs if he didn't miss three weeks with a hamstring injury. Duvall doesn't use his legs enough in his swing but takes a balanced, direct path to the ball. He has established himself as one of the better fastball hitters in the system. A shortstop at Louisville, he had a miserable time while making 27 errors at third base last year, mostly on rushed, high throws. He has average range and arm strength to go with fringy speed. San Francisco has tried him at second base, in the hopes he might just become a poor man's Jeff Kent, but he spent most of instructional league trying to improve at third. Duvall will head to high Class A in 2012, with the chance for a midseason promotion if he continues to hit home runs.