Kansas City Royals Sign Former New York Yankees Prospect Eric Duncan

The Kansas City Royals have made a free agent signing this offseason, only it's one that likely won't affect the Royals big league roster in 2012. However the name is still notable as the Royals signed former New York Yankees first round draft selection (2003), Eric Duncan.

Duncan, 26, has bounced around recently, as a member of the Yankees, Atlanta Braves, and St. Louis Cardinals' minor league systems. In 2011, he played for the Card's Double A affiliate Springfield, were he batted .274/.322/.527 in 103 games. He hit 22 home runs, and finished with 62 RBI.

Duncan spent parts of four seasons at the AAA level with the Yankees, but has yet to crack a major league roster. Twice he was named a top 100 prospect before the season by Baseball America. He was ranked 36th prior to 2005, and 86th prior to 2006.

He likely will start at Northwest Arkansas or provide depth with AAA Omaha and have an opportunity to fight for a starting job. The Royals probably saw promise in his versatility as he started games in 2011 at first, second, third, and left-field, in addition to being the designated hitter at times. Predominately throughout his minor league career Duncan has been a third basemen.