Red Sox: Don’t mess around, give Jarren Duran a shot in 2020

The Boston Red Sox need to give Jarren Duran a shot in 2020.

By now, you’ve probably seen the countless articles talking about Boston Red Sox prospect Jarren Duran. He’s been catching a lot of eyes lately with his play in this “Summer Camp” (that name still doesn’t sit right with me).

The outfielder is being recognized as Jackie Bradley Jr.‘s potential replacement. That definitely tracks too. He’s a good defender with a plus bat and plus-plus-PLUS speed. Duran has legitimate 50-steal potential and could be a .300 hitter with decent enough pop and a good glove. What isn’t there to love about him?

I do have one problem actually. It’s got nothing to do with Duran’s game though. It has to do with the projections for him. “Bradley Jr.’s replacement”.

What’s the problem with that, you ask? Simple, that insinuates that Duran is not going to play in the Majors in 2020.

Why would he? Boston has JBJ, Andrew Benintendi and Alex Verdugo as their starters. And Kevin Pillar is the backup and right-handed bat off the bench. That’s a pretty solid outfield.

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But just imagine throwing Duran in there. All four of those guys have solid speed and can get you some steals. No one’s giving you all that much there though. Last season the four of them combined for 36 steals. Duran had 46 all by himself.

I should say right now, the outfielder brings a lot more to the table than just his speed. That’s what separates him though. Perhaps the thing most glaringly absent from the Red Sox lineup is speed. Throw Duran in there and that changes quickly.

The 2020 MLB season is going to be a strange one. Things are different this year. And teams get to start the season with 30 players.

Why not make one of them Duran? If everything works out properly, you wouldn’t need those four extra players much anyways. Duran brings an immediate impact with his speed though, he’s someone that could actually see time.

And let’s say this is indeed Bradley Jr.’s last year in Boston. Wouldn’t it be great to see how his replacement handles the Majors?

Duran has constantly proven himself since getting drafted back in 2018. He was unstoppable that year, and more than up to the task to the brightened spotlight in 2019.

Now there are no minors in 2020. Don’t slow down his development because of that though.

Duran has shown he can handle any task that’s been thrown at him so far. He’s hitting .322 in his MiLB career with 70 steals in 199 games. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter is shattering expectations and constantly making new ones, just to break those too.

Why not give him the biggest challenge yet, making a mark in the Majors in 2020?

The Boston Red Sox need to give Duran the chance to do that this year. He’ll prove he’s much more than just a one-trick pony.

I’ve even got the terrible tagline ready … Jarren Duran: come for the speed, stay when you realize he brings much more to the table and possibly becomes one of the biggest weapons on the team.

It’s still a working title.