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After breakout ’16, Duvall not changing approach
- Updated: December 16, 2016
CINCINNATI — Since Adam Dunn was traded in 2008, the Reds have rarely had stability over who manned left field. Many players tried, with varying degrees of success — but few lasted long.
Laynce Nix, Jonny Gomes, Chris Heisey, Ryan Ludwick, Skip Schumaker, Donald Lutz and Marlon Byrd are just some of the left fielders Cincinnati has used over the past eight seasons. In 2016, Adam Duvall seemed to have stopped the revolving door.
Spring Training opened with uncertainty as the right-handed Duvall competed for a roster spot and ultimately broke camp sharing a left-field platoon with the lefty-hitting Scott Schebler. But as Schebler faltered and was eventually sent to Triple-A Louisville, Duvall broke out in May and made the job his.
“Last year, I felt like I did a good job taking advantage of the opportunity that I was given,” Duvall said during Redsfest.
Duvall slugged 33 home runs with 103 RBIs last season, including 23 homers in the first half. He was named to his first National League All-Star team and participated in the Home Run Derby. His strong defense made him a finalist for a NL Gold Glove Award.
Thus in February, there will be no question over who starts in left field. Perhaps …
