Shelley Duncan has always been one of my favorite players.

He’s also the subject of one of my favorite stories, as the recipient of one of those “instant’’ spring-training callups – that of being pulled out of a minor-league game at the Himes Avenue complex in Tampa, Fla., and quickly being shuttled the few blocks up Dale Mabry to George M. Steinbrenner Field for an at-bat in a big-league Grapefruit League affair.

During his seasons in the minors, he was a crowd favorite for his ability to hit the long ball – and he got some of the best pitchers, bashing a 400-foot shot off Justin Verlander, then playing for Erie, during the 2005 Eastern League season.

In fact, Duncan’s blast, in a Double-A Trenton Thunder uniform, was the only earned run Verlander allowed in seven starts and 32.2 innings in the EL that season.

Duncan, 30 also worked hard to improve his versatility, in fact playing 80 games in the outfield for Triple-A Scranton this past season.

Yet, the Yankees rightfully outrighted the minor-league veteran to Triple-A Scranton last week when they finalized their 40-man roster in preparation for the upcoming Rule V Draft.

Rule V has never been a big deal to me, mainly because it is quite a chore for a selected performer to make a big-league club since he either has to stay on the selecting team’s roster – for a price of $50,000 – or be offered back to his original team for $25,000.

Last year, pitchers Ivan Nova (San Diego) and Zach Kroenke (Florida) and infielder Reegie Corona (Seattle) were all selected in Rule V and returned to the Yankees.  Nova and Corona were added to the 40-man roster and protected this time around.

Such a selection can either raise or lower a player’s standing.   The righty Nova hardly pitched in the San Diego camp and returned to the Yankees system to go 6-8 combined with Trenton and Scranton and was seen as progressing.  Kroenke, on the other hand, was hammered in limited action with Florida, and then rebounded with an excellent 7-1, 1.99 season with Scranton.

However, Kroenke’s inability to pitch well while with Florida makes many wonder if he can mature into a dependable big-league lefty out of the bullpen. As a southpaw, he will get a few more chances to prove himself, perhaps with another organization as early as 2010 spring training.

Corona played well for the Mariners on spring training and almost made Seattle’s 25-man roster. He hit .287 (88-for-307) at Trenton, making only eight errors in 69 starts and second base and 16 at shortstop. With Scranton, he batted just .200 (32-for-160) and had eight errors in 44 infield starts.

The Yankees naturally also protected outfielder Austin Jackson, infielders Eduardo Nunez and Kevin Russo, and pitchers Hector Noesi, who has terrific stuff and could make it to Trenton in 2010. They also kept former Pittsburgh reliever Romulo Sanchez, who was  5-5, 4.04 in Scranton as a reliever and starter in 2009.

Oft-injured Jorge Vazquez, 31, is still under Yankees control and did not need to be protected. He is beginning to hit well with Culiacan of the Mexican Pacific League in Winter Baseball.

As for Duncan, somebody may take a Rule V flyer on him.  Even if that is the case, expect him to return to the Yankees system.  After that, who knows?

Among Yankees slugging prospects, Duncan also has up-and-coming Brandon Laird, 22, to battle.

PIRATES CUT KARSTENS: Soft-tosser Jeff Karstens, another of baseball’s good guys and a former Yankee, was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh last week.

He should draw some attention.

Listen to Jed talk about his Top 50 Yankees Prospect List with Mike Silva on WGBB by downloading it here.

Tags: Austin Jackson, Brandon Laird, Eduardo Nunez, Erie Tigers, Hector Noesi, Ivan Nova, Jed Weisberger, Jeff Karstens, Jorge Vazquez, Justin Verlander, Kevin Russo, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Reegie Corona, Romulo Sanchez, Rule V Draft, San Diego Padres, Scranton Wilkes Barre Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Shelley Duncan, Top 50 Yankees Prospects, Trenton Thunder, Zach Kroenke