Matt Duffy, Infield, Kansas City Royals


Date of Birth: 1/15/1991
Birthplace: Long Beach, California
College: California State University at Long Beach
Nickname: Duffman

Matt Duffy, infielder for the Kansas City Royals, was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2012. He played in the Giants' minor league system from 2012 through part of 2014. During that time, he batted .304 with 286 hits, 48 doubles, 55 stolen bases, 135 RBIs, and 145 strikeouts to 120 walks in 248 games. As a shortstop, he made 704 assists, 121 double plays, 273 putouts, and 42 errors in 233 games.

Duffy joined the Giants for 34 games in 2014. He had a .267 batting average with 16 hits. He played in his first full season in 2015, joining the Giants for 149 games. He hit his first major league home run on April 5, 2015. He finished the season with 169 hits, 28 doubles, 77 RBIs, and a .295 batting average. Defensively, at third base, he made 250 assists, 20 double plays, 78 putouts, and 12 errors in 134 games.

Duffy received the Willie Mac award in 2015 as the Giants' most inspirational player. He is the first rookie to win the award.

The Giants traded Duffy to the Tampa Bay Rays on August 1, 2016. He finished the 2016 season with 86 hits, 14 doubles, 28 RBIs, and .258 batting average in 70 games with the Giants and 21 games with the Rays. Defensively, as a third baseman in 70 games, he made 142 assists, 44 putouts, and 5 errors.

Duffy spent the 2017 season on the DL. In 2018, he played in 132 games and he had 148 hits, 22 doubles, 44 RBIs, 93 strikeouts to 47 walks, and a .294 batting average. Defensively, as a third baseman in 125 games, he made 253 assists, 87 putouts, and 13 errors.

Duffy spent time on the DL in 2019, playing in just 46 games with Tampa Bay. He batted .252 with 37 hits. In the postseason, he had 3 hits in 5 at-bats in 3 games.

The Rays released Duffy on November 22, 2019. He signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers on January 30, 2020. He was released on June 28, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees on the same day. He didn't play at all in 2020.

Duffy elected free agency on November 2, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on December 16th. He spent time on the IL in 2021 with low back strain. He finished the season with 83 hits, 30 RBIs, 63 strikeouts to 25 walks, and a .287 batting average in 97 games.

Duffy became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed with the Los Angeles Angels on March 16, 2022.

Duffy became a free agent again on November 6, 2022. He signed a minor league contract with the Royals on January 30, 2023.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Matt Duffy
ESPN - Matt Duffy
Baseball Reference - Matt Duffy