AUGUSTA, Ga. — When opportunity knocks, Dom Duggan wants to do more than answer.

He's looking for a way to get through the next door.

That's life in the minor leagues for the Seneca Valley graduate and outfielder for Class A Augusta in the San Francisco Giants organization.

"That's the way it has to be," Duggan said. "I'm looking to take each opportunity and create another opportunity.

"It's all about putting your talents on display every time you get the chance."

Duggan, 24, was a stellar football, basketball and baseball player in high school, but his size, 5-feet-9, 185 pounds, hurt him in terms of any college prospects in the first two sports.

"Small guys can bring a lot to the game, too," Duggan said. "I try to demonstrate different ways I can help a team win games."

Coming out of Coastal Carolina University, where he hit .325 with 20 doubles, nine homers, 11 stolen bases and 27 sacrifice bunts his senior year, Duggan was selected by the Giants in the 32nd round of the 2007 draft.

He hit .292 with two homers and 17 RBI in 49 games for Arizona in rookie league ball the rest of that summer. Last year, he divided his time between Augusta and high-A San Jose.

"There were a couple of injuries and I got moved up for a while," he said. "I did OK, but I wasn't making contact consistently enough."

In a part-time role with San Jose, Duggan hit .247 with nine doubles, but struck out 27 times in 85 at-bats. He drew only four walks.

With Augusta, he fanned 21 times in 85 at-bats, hitting .282 with four stolen bases.

This year, Duggan is involved in a five-man outfield rotation at Augusta. His batting average is down — .233 in 262 at-bats — but he leads the Greenjackets with 18 stolen bases and five triples.

He primarily bats in the leadoff position, yet he has contributed three home runs and 31 RBI.

"I've been playing all three outfield positions," Duggan said. "Even when I don't start, I have a chance to contribute. I pinch-ran the other night and got an at-bat late in the game."

Duggan's strikeout-to-walk ratio has improved. He has struck out 48 times and walked 25.

"What I have to offer the Giants is foot speed, but it doesn't do any good if I can't get on base," Duggan said.

Duggan, who has committed only two errors in the outfield all season, has no timetable for getting to the major leagues, but he does hope to jump to Class AA next season.

"I'll be 25 going into spring training next year," he said. "That, combined with the fact I was a late-round draft pick, means I have to progress a lot quicker than some other guys.

"If I finish strong this year and have a good spring training, maybe I can jump over high-single A."

The ultimate goal, of course, is donning a San Francisco Giants uniform down the road.

Not a bad goal for a guy who was recruited only by Division III John Carroll University out of high school.

"I'm not ruling anything out," Duggan said. "As long as I'm in pro ball, I've got a shot."