SF Giants see stellar performance from young Matt Duffy

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The San Francisco Giants had a rough first half of the season with injuries and player movement. Casey McGehee was the starter at third base to open the season, but has since been released.

His job was taken by utility infielder Matt Duffy, who sat down with us recently. What a diamond in the rough he's been, especially since he hasn't played much at third base.

"I definitely wasn't comfortable over there at first, being so close to the hitter. We've definitely ironed that out to this point and it's just hard work and sticking with your approach, and I think good things happen from there. I'm not trying to do too much, especially in a park like this when you're trying to hit home runs, chances are you're not going to. You've got to really hit the ball to get it here, so I think that's what it is, just sticking with what makes me the player that I am and not trying to be somebody else or do anything special," Duffy said.

It's working. Duffy is hitting a solid .298, with eight home runs and 41 RBI in 75 games. He has 78 hits and his defense has been solid.

However, Duffy is not the only Giants player to make some noise. Justin Maxwell and pitcher Chris Heston have also been lights out. Heston threw a no-hitter against the New York Mets on June 9, 2015.

"Heston has been just unbelievable, to just step in and not even really knowing, not even really being on the roster to start the season. He's been one of our most consistent guys and the no-hitter he threw was exciting, obviously. And then Maxwell's defense is outstanding, so to be able to plug guys like that, it speaks to our depth of the organization," Duffy added.

It doesn't hurt when you're a young player to have two All-Stars playing next to you in Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik. Duffy has been picking their brains all season.

"They're fun to watch. Turning double plays, I don't know if there's anybody as good as they are. They make the routine plays, they make the spectacular plays. To see them go in together, that is really special. I don't know how many double-play combinations do that or how often that happens. So that's cool. Hopefully, they get to play together in the All-Star game. I think would be really fun to watch."

He's a great kid and great find. He may have solidified his position for years.

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