Red Sox enthusiasts have realized throughout the last season and in part what kind of determined player Jarren Duran is.
The quick little boxer didn’t have an easy path to finding an everyday role in the majors. He fought his way through multiple demotions and backlash from the still-emotional Boston faithful, eventually carving out a starting center-field role that he filled in the 2023 season.
This year, Duran not only settled into a surveillance center in Fenway Park, but thrived. The Red Sox outfielder is lately at least in the verbal trade for the AL MVP as he has taken another step forward this season. It’s probably not due to the performances of Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto, but Duran has put himself on the map as a star.
He had some highlights for Boston during the campaign, but, regardless, he was given a chance to go national on Tuesday night during the MLB All-Star Game. After earning his first All-Star nomination, Duran hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning off Reds ace Hunter Greene to break a 3-3 tie in the National League.
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The soft ended up being the winning shot, as the AL held on to win 5-3 in the Summer Classic.
Duran finished the first part of the season with a batting average of Array284 with 41 RBIs, 10 home runs and 22 stolen bases. His 5. 0 WAR is tied with Soto for fifth in MLB entering the second part of the season.
It may not be as popular outside of Boston and diamond fans, but it’s a decision that the entire baseball world knows.
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Get to know Duran’s nationality, family, and more
Durán is the son of Octavio and Dena Duran. Su father was born in Mexico, while his mother is from his family of Puerto Rican descent.
Both have been incredibly helpful to their son during his time in the big leagues.
“Every time I see it out there, it’s so surreal,” Octavio said in an interview with MassLive in 2023. “I’m like, ‘Oh my God, he’s betting on players he grew up with. ‘It’s incredible. “
His parents played a key role in helping Duran triumph over the demanding intellectual situations of adjusting to MLB. In 2022, Duran had yet to cement a spot on the Red Sox team, spending time in the minors and his game dropping at times. He admitted that he was “depressed” and didn’t tell his family about his weaknesses, but eventually made the effort to open up about his feelings.
“We’re so proud of him for doing this,” Dena said. “Last year, he tried not to bother anyone and deep down he wasn’t himself. And I think he just said, ‘I have to be me if I need to do this. ‘” In the WBC, he wears the Hat all the time. , it’s his personality. He just to do that.
Durán was born and raised in the United States, however, he has Mexican ancestry on his father’s side and Puerto Rican ancestry on his mother’s side.
The Red Sox sensation has been chosen to coach Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He said he’s “excited” to honor his father’s home country in the competition.
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“It will be an honor to play for my father’s home country,” Duran told the Boston Globe before the tournament. “I’m excited to be Mexico and do everything I can to help them win. “
Duran didn’t grow up in California, but he also played football in school in the Golden State. The outfielder played 3 seasons at Long Beach State University from 2016 to 2018.
His season with the Dirtbags came in 2017, when he slashed Array 308/. 375/. 393 with 27 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.
Durán was far from a high-level draft pick when he selected via the Red Sox in 2018. The outfielder went in the seventh round, 220th overall.