CHRIS DUFFY

4/20/80; '01 8th; Arizona State U.
L/L; 5-10, 185

Level	BA	OBP	SA	AB	2B	3B	HR	BB	K	SB	CS
2001 A-	.317	.440	.421	221	12	4	1	33	33	30	5
2002 A+	.301	.353	.425	539	27	5	10	33	101	22	7
2003 AA	.273	.355	.350	494	23	6	1	44	78	34	12
2004 AA	.309	.378	.439	453	23	6	8	33	77	30	8

Duffy, Nate McLouth and Rich Thompson all may provide some competition for Tike Redman in CF for the Bucs over the next couple years. Duffy established himself as a good CF/leadoff prospect by successfully skipping a level in 2002, although the decline in his plate discipline was probably a warning sign. He struggled in his first exposure to AA. He spent much of the first half of 2003 in the .230s, but slowly brought his average up in the second half. He also increased his walk rate, although it was still on the low side, and he cut down on his strikeouts. This probably came at the cost of the improved power he showed in 2002, as he looked like more of a slap hitter at Altoona than he had previously. He returned to Altoona in 2004 and had a better season, as he hit the ball with more authority, including improved gap power. His plate discipline, though, actually slipped a little and his walk rate remains less than acceptable. Duffy is very fast and an excellent defensive CF. His arm isn't very strong, but his throws are accurate. Because of his defensive ability, the Pirates appear to regard him more highly than they do McLouth. Of the two, McLouth is the better prospect. Duffy is probably a better prospect than Thompson, but it remains to be seen whether he'll adapt to AAA more quickly than he did AA. The team planned to send Duffy to the Arizona Fall League, but he injured his wrist—an injury that kept him out most of the last month. They nevertheless added him to the roster, along with McLouth and Rajai Davis, which leaves them heavily loaded with leadoff-type OFs—probably a reflection on Tike Redman. Duffy will be the CF in 2005 for Indianapolis.

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