New SF Giants pitcher Duncan Davitt brings unconventional off-the-field background to the table

The newest San Francisco Giants pitcher is best known for his pitching acumen, but he has also received attention for his uncommon offseason gig as a high school sports reporter. Right-hander Duncan Davitt, who was claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Braves Thursday, has spent his offseasons covering a variety of sports for the Indianola Independent Advocate, a local newspaper near his native Des Moines, IA.

Before he made the majors – he debuted with the Chicago White Sox on April 10th of this year – Davitt had already made headlines via his side gig. How did he get that job? Well, it doesn't hurt that the paper is his owned and run by his parents. Still, though, he was an unlikely candidate to fill the role, having studied history while pitching at the University of Iowa. But when he was home after his first offseason in pro ball, his mom was looking someone to cover a football game, and she asked Duncan on a whim, figuring at least his major had involved some writing. He took the assignment, and the rest is history.

Davitt's sports coverage eventually morphed into a first-person column on life in pro ball, something I'd wager is unique among local Iowa newspapers. Both the column and his reporting were on hold as of this past offseason, though, perhaps because his promotion to the big leagues appeared imminent after he was added to Chicago's 40-man roster in November. That, and the fact that he was targeted in trades at each of the past two deadlines, suggests he was probably right to prioritize pitching over journalism.

Davitt has been dealt for current and former Giants

In those aforementioned trades, Davitt was exchanged for names familiar to Giants fans. Last year, he went from Tampa Bay to the White Sox as part of a package for Adrian Houser, and this year, the Sox flipped him to Atlanta for none other than Joey Bart. He was waived by Atlanta a few weeks later, opening the door for San Francisco to acquire him. The Giants sent him to Triple-A, where his performance with his prior organizations has been inconsistent so far (he has made just two appearances in the big leagues to date, both for Chicago).

Whether he will eventually stick in San Francisco remains to be seen, but if Davitt can find his way back to the majors there, his background makes him a strong bet to be a fan favorite. And if the pitching thing doesn't work out – or maybe even if it does – perhaps someday we'll get to see his byline right here.

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