Yankees' former top prospect Eric Duncan promoted rookie ball hitting coach

When it comes to New Jersey high school baseball legend and former Yankees ^[1] top prospect Eric Duncan ^[2], Gary Denbo knows one thing.

As soon as Duncan can accept a full-time coaching job in the Yankees' organization, he'll have one waiting for him.

"I hope he joins us on a full-time basis going forward," said Denbo, the Yankees' vice president of player development. "He's the kind of guy you look for to work with your players."

Denbo would know. He's been close for years to Duncan, whom the Yankees recently promoted from infield coordinator to hitting coach with the short-season Staten Island Yankees.

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The Yankees selected Duncan, an ex-Seton Hall Prep star, in the first round of the 2003 draft and gave him a $1.25 million signing bonus.

Denbo rejoined the Yankees' as the organization's hitting coordinator in 2006. That's when he got to see Duncan's impressive work ethic.

Though Duncan's effort didn't translate into a major-league career — he reached Triple-A but retired after the 2012 season — Denbo knew Duncan had a future in baseball.

"He was a first-round pick back in the day, a top prospect for a time and then he ran into a bit of a plateau where he wasn't able to figure things out," Denbo said. "He had to really work to get as far as he did. ... Those experiences, and where he came from as a top pick and as a top prospect, all those experiences helped him to become a good coaching prospect."

Duncan was flattered by Denbo's assessment.

"It's humbling," he said. "The Yankees organization, from Day 1, as a player and through last year, my first year on the player development side, they do everything the right way. They're first class. I got to experience several other organizations during the course of my playing career, but getting a chance to work with Staten Island last year, you understand why the Yankees have been so successful. It starts from the top down. They're a model of success that's second to none."

Duncan said his goal next season is simple: Help everyone he can.

"At such lower levels (of the minors leagues), you have all these younger players who have a ton of individual talent, and you hope to start tapping into that talent," Duncan said. "Even in small developments, it's fun getting into that. At this level, guys are just starting their pro careers, and there are basics guys need to start understanding about themselves both on and off the field."

Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com ^[5]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ ^[6]. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook ^[7].