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5 Biggest surprises on and off the Red Sox ALDS roster

By Gabrielle Starr

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 22: Matt Barnes #32 of the Boston Red Sox looks on in the clubhouse before a game against the New York Mets on September 22, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 22: Matt Barnes #32 of the Boston Red Sox looks on in the clubhouse before a game against the New York Mets on September 22, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images
Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images /

Jarren Duran is not on the ALDS Roster, but Danny Santana is

Jarren Duran is one of, if not the fastest guys on the Red Sox. However, his transition from the minors to the majors has been a struggle, offensively. He’s hitting .215/.241/.336 with a .578 OPS over 33 big-league games, with only seven extra-base hits over 112 plate appearances. His plate discipline leaves a lot to be desired; 44 strikeouts and only four walks.

In eight games against the Rays, Duran couldn’t make heads or tails of their pitching. He slashed .185/.185/.185 with a .370 OPS against them with no extra-base hits. His speed doesn’t compensate enough for those numbers to make him worthy of a high-stakes postseason roster spot.

Santana, meanwhile, made his big-league debut in 2014, and the Red Sox gave him a shot on a minor-league deal this season. The upside of Santana is that he can play the infield and outfield, but his bat isn’t what it used to be, like when he hit 28 home runs and stole 21 bases for the Rangers in 2019.

Over 38 big-league games his season, Santana is hitting .181/.252/.345 with a .597 OPS, five home runs, and two doubles. He’s had multiple stints on both the IL and COVID-related IL, making it hard to assess his actual ability to contribute to this team. He does have a home run off the Rays this season, which is something.

If the Red Sox can only have room for one, Santana over Duran makes sense for his defensive versatility, but that’s about it.

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