Jarren Duran deserving of All-Star selection
With the All-Star game quickly approaching, the Red Sox have a few players deserving of a trip to Globe Life Field. That list includes outfielder Jarren Duran, who has been a human highlight reel since the calendar flipped to June. With the former seventh-round pick locked in at the plate, the Red Sox have been hard to beat.
Through 80 games this season, Duran has posted a .288 batting average and driven in 37 runs. He also flexed his power with seven home runs, one short of his career high. In June, he has taken his game to another level while consistently making hard contact.
In 96 at-bats this month, Duran has posted a .375 batting average and caused chaos on the base paths with nine stolen bases. That stretch included a 14-game hitting streak that ended last night. What has made the 27-year-old so good is his ability to make an impact with his speed and, lately, his power. He has not only been one of the Red Sox's best players but also one of the best outfielders in baseball.
Entering play on Wednesday, the former seventh-round pick is tied for first in the AL in doubles with 23. He also ranks in the top five among AL outfielders in WAR. His excellence does not stop there, as the Long Beach State product leads the league in triples with 10. When he is not making an impact at the plate, Duran has shown a flair for making spectacular catches in centerfield.
Despite Duran's stellar play, he still has a lot of ground to make up in the All-Star ballot. In the updated voting, released on Monday, Duran ranked 19th. Some of the players he currently trails are Evan Carter, Kevin Kiemaier, Will Brennan, and George Springer. While all those players have had success in the past, Duran has been far more valuable this season.
Duran will be a player to watch as the midsummer classic draws closer. He is more than deserving of an All-Star bid and has become a star on a Red Sox team surpassing expectations.
While it is unlikely that Duran will be one of the top six vote-getters in the outfield when revealed on June 27, he could still sneak in as a reserve and get the opportunity to shine on one of baseball's biggest stages.