Last week Jarren Duran was hitting .337 and I thought that was pretty ridiculous. Now he’s hitting .357 with five doubles and one home run. Oh, and he’s already roped nine triples … NINE. Most people are lucky to hit nine in a full season and the 21-year-old has done that through 31 games.
Duran isn’t just a flashy hitter either. The 21-year-old left-handed hitter has 18 RBI and 24 runs scored, as well as 12 steals on the season. The second baseman was selected in the seventh round of the draft this year, and already seems like he’s ready for the next challenge. Not only should Duran not spend much more time in Short-A, he’s playing like someone who should be important to the Red Sox future.
Duran isn’t the only hot hitter in Lowell though. The Spinners are also enjoying the play of shortstop Korby Batesole at the moment. The 22-year-old is riding a 10-game hitting-streak that’s risen his average from .154 to .333. The only knock on the average is that Batesole has yet to connect for an extra-base hit, and has just two RBI.
Batesole is seeing the ball extremely well though, and you’d have to imagine some other numbers will start to creep into the equation. Great mustache too.
Cole Brannen is currently on a six-game hitting streak. The outfielder’s average has seen a boost up to .256. His speed is still as dangerous as ever, as the 19-year-old has 11 steals on 12 attempts in Short-A. He’s now 20-for-22 in the minors this season.
Devlin Granberg is up to .306 on the year thanks to a current hot-streak of his own. The outfielder has 11 RBI and 22 runs scored in just 30 games this year. A sixth-round selection in this year’s draft, the right-handed hitter has seven doubles and one home run as well.
Tyler Esplin has brought his average up to .218 on the season, and is still hitting the ball hard. The 19-year-old has 22 hits on the year, 11 for extra-bases (three home runs). He’s also driven in 15 runs and scored 13 more, while stealing three bases in three attempts.
Eduard Bazardo continues to throw gems in Short-A. The 22-year-old tossed seven innings without allowing an earned run in his only start this week. He struck out nine more batters while once again walking none.
Next: Red Sox Prospect Watch: Bobby Dalbec’s stock is still rising
On the year, the right-handed pitcher now has a 2.08 ERA in seven starts. Over 39 innings he’s struck out 46 while walking four. Opponents are hitting .174 against him, as he boasts a 0.744 WHIP. Despite this being his first year at a level as high as Short-A, Bazardo seems more than prepared.