Chris Duffy

2013

There was no outlook written for Chris Duffy.

2008

Duffy didn't walk out on the Pirates last summer as he did in 2006, but he still suffered a season-ending injury nonetheless. The speedy center fielder saw his year end after spraining an ankle in June and then undergoing rotator cuff surgery on his left shoulder at the end of August. He batted .249 in 241 at-bats, a mark much closer to his .255 mark of 2006 than his .341 in 2005. Because Duffy possesses premiere defensive skills, there will always be some kind of backup role for him in the majors. He stole 13 bases in 17 attempts, about the only area in which fantasy owners can depend upon with him when he's healthy and motivated. A change of scenery would likely serve Duffy well, as he's worn out his welcome in Pittsburgh.

2007

Duffy got off to a bad start in 2006, questioned whether he wanted to play baseball and then quit on the team. There's no way to get around that fact. A funny thing happened when his self-imposed seven-week exile ended, however -- he played better than ever. Prior to quitting, Duffy batted .194 in 98 at-bats, with three stolen bases. Upon his return, the speedy center fielder hit .282 in 216 at-bats, and swiped 23 of 24 bases. For the second season in a row Duffy excelled in the final two months of the season. The question remains whether he can put together a complete season. Talk up his quitting and then nab him as a late-round pickup.

2006

Duffy surprised a legion of baseball experts in 2005 by batting .341 in 126 at-bats for the Bucs. He's not the most disciplined batter and his average will likely fall during the course of a full season, but Duffy's speed and quickness makes him an intriguing fantasy prospect. Although he stole just two bags in 2005, he averaged 29 in four minor league seasons. Duffy is expected to start in center field for the Pirates in 2006.

2005

Duffy spent his second consecutive full season with Double-A Altoona in 2004 and hit .309 with eight homers along with 41 RBI and 32 stolen bases in 113 games. The 24-year old left-handed hitting outfielder was named the Curve's Most Valuable Player and was selected by Eastern League managers as the "Best Defensive Outfielder" in the league. Another solid campaign could put Duffy in a position to hustle his way into a roster spot with the Pirates, where he could carve a niche for himself in the bigs as a bench player.

2004

Duffy, who hit .273 at Double-A Altoona last year, only went deep once for the Curve, but he stole 34 bases and there are some within the Bucs' organization that think he can eventually hustle his way to the bigs.

2003