Adam Duvall has thrived for the Cincinnati Reds in 2016 in his first year as a Major League starter. The 27-year-old slugger seized the chance to become the Reds’ everyday left fielder both at the plate and in the field.
Duvall crushed two home runs on Memorial Day that ups his total to 13 for the year, just two behind NL home run leader Yoenis Cespedes. The two-homer game gives him 11 blasts for the month of May, including six in his last eight games. He now has 29 RBI on the year and is slashing .271/.606/.877.
Duvall has the kind of right-handed strength and power that the Reds lost when the team traded All-Star third baseman and 2015 Home Run Derby champ Todd Frazier. Duvall’s power numbers might be enough to garner him All-Star consideration.
The hapless Reds will almost certainly have just the one mandatory representative on the All-Star team this year. While Duvall is certainly making his case now, shortstop Zack Cozart has been making his case throughout the season.
The 30-year-old Cozart ranked among the Top 10 in batting average in baseball into May and was hitting .326 on May 20. He suffered through a four-start hitless skid before a 3-for-6 effort on Memorial Day raised his batting average to .297.
Cozart has served as the Reds’ primary leadoff hitter this year. His defense has returned to a Gold Glove level after he missed most of the 2015 season due to ACL surgery. He is a clear frontrunner for comeback player of the year.
But Cozart may fall short in his All-Star bid this year if Duvall can hit in June like he did in May, Duvall has also shown he is more than capable in the left field, where he has impressively displayed his athleticism and strong arm.
There’s a chance that both Cozart and Duvall could be selected, but if Duvall misses out this year, he looks like a lock to get more chances in the future for the Reds.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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