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CHICAGO As a 22-year-old on the Giants A-ball club, Adam Duvall was hoping to achieve his dream of advancing to the majors without any setbacks. But then a lingering health concern changed the plan.

Duvall had lost 20 pounds over the course of the seasonas the symptoms ofType 1 diabetes took hold. Although the Louisville, Ky., native was diagnosed as a pre-diabetic during his childhood, he and his parents didnt worry because the condition was manageable even while playing sports.

Being a young, healthy athlete, I didnt think, Gee, I need to worry about that, Duvall said. But I would go low (on insulin) during games, and I would always have a payday (reaction). During the games when I was younger, Id be jittery.

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Once the teams doctors confirmed the diagnosis, Duvall had to mentally adjust to the unanticipated setback. It would take work, even more than what's normally required to reach the majors, but Duvall was committed to keeping the disease in check so he would one day reach his goal of being a big-leaguer. That day came when he debuted with the Giants in 2014. Since then, Duvall has continued to elevate his game, and, now with the Reds, is putting up All-Star numbers.But managing his diabetes remains a priority.

Men with Type 1 diabetes lose around 11 years of their longevity in contrast to those without it, according to recent studies.Duvall could feel the effects of the disease on the field during that first season in the minors. Fatigue was common when his blood sugar wasn't right. Long bus rides and a lack of sleep didn't help. Staying vigilant wasn't always easy.

You get back from a long road trip, youre struggling and maybe you dont want to check your blood sugar, he said. And then it tailspins after that.

The Augusta GreenJackets training staff recommended that Duvall attended educational classes on diabetes. He subsequently figured out a plan to sustain his energy in and away from the ballpark; during games, a protein bar and Gatorade would sit on the dugout bench in case of an emergency.

Moreover, Duvall would need an insulin injection after any meal, along with one before bedtime.

After two and a half more seasons in the minors, he was called up to the Giants in June 2014.Soon after, Duvall was introduced to a cellphone-size device, designed to aid the users body with an attached cartridge of insulin. With the push of a button, Duvallcan have insulin delivered into his bodies through a plastic tube known as an infusion set, which is attached to his abdomen. It replaces the need for an injection.Duvall said the tail end of the insulin pump is stored his back pocket while roaming the outfield.

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On top of that, he carries a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), generating a blood sugar graph every five minutes. Occasionally, hell wake up in the middle of the night and see he needs extra insulin.

Competing at a high level, while also treating a major disease, has earned Duvall high respect from his teammates.

Im so proud of him because on some day games when its too hot, he has to drink a lot to be on that same level, Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez said. Thats hard to do.

Once he became an everyday playerwith the Reds, Duvall earnedan All-Star berth in 2016, when he clubbed 33 home runs and drove in 103 runs. He's put up similar numbers so far in 2017.

There were a lot of people in the Giants organization that liked him very much, Reds TV play-by-play voice Thom Brennaman said. Now, they say, Man, how in the world did we not give this guy a chance to play the outfield (everyday)?

Since the start of 2016 season, Duvall has 188 RBIs, the most among NL outfielders; hes tied with Athletics outfielder Khris Davis for second among all MLB outfielders. He has also collected 62 home runs over that stretch, which is tied with Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant for fourth in baseball.

Duvall credits his power surge to regaining muscle mass that he lost before and immediately after his diabetes diagnoses, as well as making adjustments at the plate. TheAll-Star appearance in 2016 was a payoff of sorts, he said.

It wasnt something I really expected or was trying to achieve (being selected as an All-Star), Duvall said. It was one of those things where I put together a good year from working on my craft year round.

Reds third base coach Billy Hatcher said Duvall has asserted himself as a leader in the clubhouse during his ascendance at the plate, looking to aid veterans and youngsters alike, especially on defense. And on top of all his on-field and clubhouse duties, there's still the matter of Duvall staying vigilant to keep himself healthy.

You see him monitoring himself every single day and getting himself ready, Hatcher said. He has to worry about hitting a 98 mile an hour fastball; he has to worry about playing defense. A person whos doing all that and still competing while doing very well, you have to admire.

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Reds' Adam Duvall excels on field as he keeps diabetes in check ... - Sporting News

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