ATLANTA — With the strong rookie class in the National League full of much-hyped prospects, San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Duffy doesn’t get much attention.
That’s starting to change, though. With the way the one-time 18th-round draft choice is hitting, how can it not.
Duffy had his second four-hit game in less than a month on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves and is on a torrid 21-game stretch where he is hitting .383 (36-for-94).
The rail-thin 24-year-old was 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs in the series finale Wednesday against the Braves and has his average up to .310 going into a four-game series in Chicago against the Cubs and the Giants’ No. 3 hitter has nine homers and 49 RBIs.
“There ought to be some loud noise in the rookie of the year department,” Giants right fielder Hunter Pence said.
It would still be an upset if Duffy was to beat out heralded rookies like Kris Bryant of the Cubs and Joc Pederson of the Los Angeles Dodgers. But the former Long Beach State utilityman has certainly beaten the odds before.
Casey McGehee was supposed to be the replacement for Pablo Sandoval at third base this season, but the veteran struggled and was released after Duffy took control of the position.
“He’s underrated because you don’t see him, really,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said of Duffy. “We saw him in San Francisco for three games and now we see him here for three games and he’s pretty darn good.”
Duffy has started every game at third base since May 24 and flourished in the middle of the Giants lineup.
“He played so well you couldn’t take him out,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “I just like the way he battles up there. He uses the whole field, he’s got a good eye at the plate, he’s a tough out.”