Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran
Even while Boston was rolling to a first-half division lead, all of Red Sox nation was on Duran watch. The top prospect was tearing apart Triple-A, launching 16 home runs and swiping 16 bases over just 60 games in Worchester. Duran’s collection tools were some of the best in all of the minor leagues, and Red Sox fans were eagerly anticipating the day where he would bring his electricity to the big club.
That day would come on July 16, when the Red Sox purchased his contract from Triple-A. From the moment he stepped on the Fenway Park field, however, he was completely overmatched. In just 114 at-bats, he struck out forty times and walked only four times. A player expected to provide a major boost to the team during their playoff run was sent back down on September 1.
Duran will have a role on a major league team. His plus speed and defense gives him a floor of at least a fourth outfielder, but whether or not he becomes something more depends on how his plate discipline develops. Already at 25 years old, this is the season Duran needs to show that he is capable of making such adjustments.