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This past summer I started following more of MIL baseball, mainly to follow drafted players who played for Florida.

For those that don't know, Duncan is IowaMom23's pitcher son. We talk occasionally by phone and through private messages. She let me know as a friend and TB fan, that Duncan was promoted to Tampa's AA Montgomery Biscuits this summer. The team had a great ride, which just ended.

I know that folks here follow all the early draft guys gifted with lots of $$$ because they MIGHT be MLB players at one point. I get that.

The point of this post...I wanted you all to know how proud his mom is of his achievements and in 2 short years how he is doing. You don't have to be a million dollar bonus pic to live your dream.

Drafted out of Iowa (small bonus) in 2022 round 18, pick 554, 2024 combined stats 7-10 W-L, 3.62 era, 136.2 IP, 141 SO.

I have, with her permission given you some info, there is more you can follow for yourselves.

His story is very impression. He is living his dream, and trust me folks as discussed, it's not a very easy journey. We should be supportive of all of your son's and daughter's athletic achievements!

And his folks are doing what everyone should....enjoy the moments!!!

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Duncan would not be where he is today if it wasn't from all the folks on this board.

His story is really one of perserverance. He was recruited by one Power 5 school. I wanted him to go someplace where he could play right away and be a star. He chose Iowa because he wanted to prove himself against the toughest competition. After his first semester, the coaches told him he was “a pleasant surprise.”

He was the Sunday starter when COVID hit, had a great summer in the Northwoods league, but when he got back to school, Iowa had recruited some talented flamethrowers. They took over the starting roles and he was used mostly as a reliever and occasionally a week day start through the rest of college.

He got drafted in the 18th round, spent half of his first full year as a Charleston Riverdog, then moved to the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Worked his fanny off during the off-season and started this year back in Bowling Green, then moved to AA Montgomery, starting the first game after the All Star break. It was rough and the home announcer said he wasn’t sure Duncan had the “stuff” to succeed at that level.

By the end of the season the same guy was talking about how impressive he was. He does a TikTok update at the end of the season, and his take on this year was -- went well, a lot to improve.

Over the years, he developed a habit. After almost every pitch, he runs his foot over the rubber. He says it’s a reminder that the last pitch — good or bad — is in the past and it’s a fresh start. His pitching coach at Iowa once told me it's what they loved about him. He did whatever they asked, and kept throwing strikes, even when things weren't going well.

Out of everything he’s learned out of baseball, that willingness to work for what he wants, his belief in himself and his ability to pick himself up after a rough patch are the skills that he is mastering, along with playing a game he loves. I can’t wait to see where that all takes him.

Thanks TPM for noticing, and to all of you for everything we have learned from the board along the way.



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