Former KU Hurler Selected to Triple-A All-Star Game

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The International League selected former Kansas hurler Frank Duncan to represent the Indianapolis Indians at the 2016 Sonic Automotive Triple-A All-Star Game presented by Gildan in Charlotte, North Carolina, Wednesday, July 13.
 
“It means a great deal to be an All-Star,” Duncan said. “I have always wanted to be part of an All-Star team and I am fortunate enough to have had the success this year to be in Charlotte for this celebration with all the talent in Triple-A from all over the country.”
 
Duncan, who made his Triple-A debut May 10, is among that talent with a 6-4 record and a 2.49 ERA in 11 starts for the Indians, including a 4-1 mark with a 1.76 ERA in five June outings. He has thrown 61 and 1/3 innings with Indianapolis in 2016, struck out 52 batters and allowed 17 earned runs, all while holding opponents to a .247 batting average.
 
“The last month has been great, but it has also felt like a blur,” Duncan said. “It is so important not to get hung up on good or bad outings and continue to prepare for that next day out there on the mound. When you get to this level, each time you take the mound you need to treat it as the most important outing in your life.”
 
An All-Big 12 First Team honoree his senior season with the Jayhawks, Duncan has had many important outings in his life and as a result was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 13th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft. He began his professional career that season with the Jamestown Jammers of the New York Penn League in Short-Season A. In 2015, he found himself in Advanced A ball with Bradenton before earning a roster spot with Altoona in Double-A to begin 2016.
 
“I had a good feeling after last year that I would have the chance to move up and play at the next level,” Duncan said. “But to already be in Triple-A is something I knew I had in me but didn’t see happening so fast. My success is a direct result of the Pirates’ adept pitching development.”
 
Duncan is the second Jayhawk to represent KU in the last three years at the Triple-A All-Star Game as former closer Paul Smyth did so in 2014.
 
In addition to his athletic prowess on the field, Duncan is among the most active participants in the Pirates’ community service program, well-exceeding the required 10 hours with more than 40 hours spent serving the Indianapolis community.
 
The game will be broadcast live on MLB Network, American Forces Network, MiLB.TV and the Triple-A All-Star Game Radio Network beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Duncan is tentatively slated to pitch the sixth inning for the International League.
 
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