Red Sox Prospect Jarren Duran is turning heads in Spring Training

This offseason has been less than desirable for the Red Sox.  First it was the resignation of Alex Cora following his implication in the Astros cheating scandal.  Then Mookie Betts and David Price were traded to the Dodgers for a questionable return.  Following the trade Price but the Red Sox front office and their media on blast.  Everyone expected exactly that from Price honestly.  Now the Red Sox come out with the news that the ace of the staff Chris Sale most likely needs Tommy John Surgery.  The season seems to be doomed before it even starts.

Let’s focus on some good news, the games are starting, and the Red Sox are breaking in one of their prospects in the outfield.  Jarren Duran has been playing in most of the spring training games and the Red Sox are giving him a long look.  The early returns show a lot to like.  It is easy to see why Boston liked him so much to take him in the seventh round of the draft of Long Beach State. Since he has been with Boston he has climbed up the ranks quickly.

Duran was a contact hitter in college who very rarely struck out.  Duran has struck out more at the professional level which is to be expected.  What has not changed is his ability to get on base and wreak havoc on the base paths while he is there.  Duran is a great base stealer compiling 70 steals in two seasons.  The speed is on display the most when the outfielder hits a ball into the gap and if the ball is not tracked down quickly it is most likely going to turn into a triple.  The prospect hit 8 triples last year and has 19 triples in two seasons.  That is a crazy amount of speed.

Duran is the perfect candidate as a leadoff hitter. He makes great contact he has tons of speed and he is going to be a .300 hitter at the big-league level. Duran got a taste of the big leagues a season ago in spring training. This season the organization is giving a long look, especially with one of the outfield spots up for grabs.  Duran is having the start in spring training that Jackie Bradley did when he first made the Red Sox 8 seasons ago.

So far this spring the outfielder has displayed his range in the outfield and on the base paths.  The one thing that he has shown that wasn’t a known part of his game.  He has some power to all parts of the field.  He hit a homerun to the opposite field much to everyone’s surprise.  Duran has also shown his ability to play all outfield positions. 

If Duran keeps up this play and Bradley or any of the other outfielders struggle Duran is in line to get called up.  Duran may make the team out of spring. The MLB has expanded the rosters by one player to 26.  Duran has a great chance to make the roster, especially the way he has been playing in spring training.  If nothing else keep an eye on Duran as he is going to turn some heads the rest of the spring.