Throughout 2023 there arguably wasn’t a prospect who saw their prospect stock rise more than RHP Avery Duncan (Notre Dame Academy, 2024; Dallas Baptist commit) as he proved to be one of the state’s top arms. During the winter circuit, Duncan walked away from the Green Bay Preseason ID as one of the day’s biggest winners. During the ‘pen, Duncan showed off electric arm speed, running his fastball up to 89.9 mph while showing exceptional feel to spin in a high-70s breaking ball with sharp and late bite. After breaking out in the winter, Duncan jumped up our rankings board, moving up over 25 spots. Then in the spring, Duncan continued to impress and showed that his skill set translates from ‘pen to game mound seamlessly. In a start back in April, Duncan quieted a talented lineup, while sitting in the upper-80s and touching 90 mph a number of times. As the summer rolled around, even more velocity was coming from Duncan, seeing him casually run it up in the low-90s, all while showing more and more feel for his slider, which has been his go-to weapon as of late. Because of this eye opening summer, Duncan saw his name continue to rise up our rankings board all the way up to No. 7 and he also earned a spot in our national rankings, too. Even with the advanced skill set Duncan possesses, he still has some major upside in his long 6-foot-2, 187-pound frame, making him one of the most intriguing arms in the class. Back in May, Duncan announced his commitment to Dallas Baptist, who are fresh off a near 50 win season and a NCAA Regional appearance.

(PBRT The Rock Open; 6/30/23)

We recently caught up with Duncan to talk about his recruitment process, and many other baseball related topics.

OUR Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Duncan: I wasn't sure what to expect, we reached out to several people to understand the process better. I was looking for a competitive program that would develop me as a pitcher, as well as a person.

P: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

D: No, I always wanted to move to the South and play in warmer weather.

P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

D: It really started to heat up after I hit 90 mph on the mound during my junior year off season. Dallas Baptist saw me on twitter and they came up to watch me pitch in a NDA high school game.

P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

D: Dallas Baptist has a great baseball program and is known for their development of players on and off the field. Coach Heefner holds each and everyone of his players to a very high standard of playing as well as living. The sense of community I felt at DBU was unmatched anywhere else.

P: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

D: I spoke with a few schools. The schools that caught the most interest were Dallas Baptist and then TCU and Ohio State.

P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

D: RHP/INF Noah Wech (Manitowoc Lincoln, 2024; Oklahoma State commit). I played with him and against him. He is very committed to his craft and a really great ball player.

P: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

D: I always felt like I could play at a high level, but it was when I joined ISA my 16u season and started working with Erik Cordier and Jason Berken that I really realized my potential.

P: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

D: If you stay consistent and put your nose down and grind, it will all pay off. Also don't forget to make time for yourself to rest and relax.

P: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

D: Hanging out at the ballpark with my Dad and older brothers. Also playing on the same team as my brother Evan throughout the years.

P: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

D: I think our team will be pretty solid this upcoming season. This group of guys has a special type of chemistry, one I have never seen before or been part of.

P: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?

D: I would steal RHP Craig Kabat’s (Bay Port, 2024; Gonzaga commit) command on the mound. I feel like every time I watch him pitch he is always pounding the zone and getting a lot of nasty swings-and-misses.

P: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

D: RHP Ben Hites (Greendale, 2025) plays for ISA Royal 17u and attends Greendale high school. He has a lot of arm talent and his frame has a lot of projection in it. He is due for a big summer and is a must-know name for the upcoming season.

P: Did Prep Baseball assist in your recruiting? Whether it be through a showcase, tournament coverage, tweets, etc? If yes, please explain.

D: Yes they helped a lot, I appreciate all of the write ups and tweets.

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