{"id":73971,"date":"2024-05-21T16:13:59","date_gmt":"2024-05-21T20:13:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=73971"},"modified":"2024-05-21T16:13:59","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T20:13:59","slug":"jarren-duran-proving-value-red-sox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/05\/21\/jarren-duran-proving-value-red-sox\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Sox Outfielder Proving Value from the Leadoff Position"},"content":{"rendered":"

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran<\/a> is off to a scorching start this season. It’s become apparent that he’s a much-improved player at the plate. It wasn\u2019t always pretty for the California native in his first three seasons in the majors. Debuting in 2021, Duran played just 33 games and had an abysmal 53 OPS+, ranking towards the bottom of all hitters. The next year, he improved slightly but still failed to play more than 60 games. Through his first two seasons and 91 games, things weren\u2019t great for Duran.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jarren Duran’s Potential Impact on the Red Sox<\/b><\/h2>\n

Last season, however, was really the first time that Duran produced some eye-popping at-bats and stretches. He ended 2023 with nearly 400 plate appearances, a .295 batting average, and a strong OPS of .828. Duran capitalized on his opportunities, smacking 34 doubles and eight home runs while playing over 100 games for the first time ever. It was a promising sign to see, but more work needed to be done. Duran wasn\u2019t a lock to be a key contributor in 2024 and had to further prove himself. Through nearly 50 games in 2024, it\u2019s safe to say that he\u2019s done just that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Duran is a League-Leading Hitter<\/b><\/h3>\n

Entering 2024, Duran had seven total triples in 193 career appearances. In his first 48 games this season, Duran has already eclipsed that number. He currently leads all of baseball with eight three-baggers. The next closest player is Bobby Witt Jr.<\/a> with six. Both Duran and Witt Jr. are the only two hitters in MLB that have tallied more than four this year. A truly remarkable start to the season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Duran\u2019s triples have come in different ways. At times, it\u2019s his power that leads the outfielder to third base. During Boston\u2019s 5-0 win over Tampa Bay on Monday, May 20, Duran hit a near-homer that bounced off the top of the wall and ricocheted toward the infield. He reached third standing and without a throw. It was his eighth and most recent triple of the year.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Jarren Duran leads the Majors with 8 triples \ud83e\udd8e
\npic.twitter.com\/VMl7odWVdS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) May 20, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n