Red Sox CF makes history with rare stat, strengthens All-Star case
Center fielder Jarren Duran has been propelling the Boston Red Sox atop their lineup all season, and now, he’s found himself in elite company.
Duran leads the American League in doubles (23), MLB in triples (10) and is tied for sixth in baseball in stolen bases (20). The 27-year-old is also tied with Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani for third in MLB in wins above replacement (WAR) at 4.3.
Duran has been particularly hot lately, riding a 14-game hitting streak in which he’s hitting .419. His stellar defense while patrolling a difficult outfield at Fenway Park has boosted his importance to Boston.
The Red Sox (43-36) are 11-3 during Duran’s streak and currently hold the third AL wild-card spot.
The former seventh-round pick capped off Boston’s come-from-behind, 7-6 win against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, providing a walk-off single and is making a convincing case to be a first-time All-Star in July.
Duran is arguably the Red Sox’s second-best hitter after third baseman Rafael Devers, and one could contend that he’s been the team’s MVP through the first half, at least on offense.
The California State product has played in all but one of the team’s 80 games this season and leads the squad in runs scored (55), hits (96) and total bases (160) while ranking second in stolen bases and walks (30).
As long as Duran is roaming center field and leading off for Boston, Red Sox nation may be in for a more exciting summer than originally thought.
