Possible Red Sox 2023 All-Stars: Jarren Duran (OF), Justin Turner (DH), Josh Winckowski (RP)
Jarren Duran (OF)
2023 numbers (as of 5/25/23): .300 Avg., 3 HR, 19 RBI
Earlier in the season, when Adam Duvall went down with a wrist injury, initially many thought it would open a door for Jarren Duran to take a stranglehold of center field after starting the year strong with Triple-A Worcester. Instead, Bobby Dalbec got the initial call-up due to the string of lefties they were facing.
After that string ended, Dalbec was optioned back to Worcester, and Duran has taken full advantage, even causing some fans to wonder if he'll ever get sent back to Triple-A. His high average, and above-average speed makes him fun to watch.
In addition to his speed, Duran has added some power to his game this season through his different approach which could give him an inside track to possibly play a reserve role in the game. What's different this year? According to Duran himself, he's done with "s***ting on himself" and "has a different mindset".
Justin Turner (DH)
2023 numbers (as of 5/25/23): .263 Avg., 5 HR, 18 RBI
Now, adding Justin Turner to this list might be a bit of a - pardon the first base pun here - stretch. Maybe I'm a bit of baseball traditionalist, and I appreciate someone who works the count, can walk more than he can hit the ball over the fence, and plays exceptional defense, but, to me, that's what gets Turner into the All-Star Game this year.
Sure, at the moment he has the seventh-highest batting average of all Major League designated hitters, is tied for both the third most walks and hits, with 24 and 46, respectively, and those are all impressive, he has to compete with players like the Angels' Ohtani, and the Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez to compete with.
Turner may not make the All-Star team due to the popularity of some other players, but if it was down to who out of the Red Sox was right on the cusp, he would definitely be there.
Josh Winckowski (RP)
2023 numbers (as of 5/25/23): 2-0, 2.15 ERA, 19.1 IP, 22 K, 6 BB
I hear you all in the peanut gallery: "What? No Kenley Jansen?" Don't get me wrong, Jansen has had an impressive season thus far. From reaching the 400-save milestone, to converting on his first nine save attempts, but at the end of the day, his ERA is now over 3.00 - despite being under 1.00 for the first month of the season,
So, yes, he has had a great start to his career with the Red Sox, but not as good as Josh Winckowski's complete 180 he has done in two years with Boston. He has been lights out of the bullpen, and has only allowed runs in two of his seven appearances in the month of May.
It may be an uphill battle to get into the All-Star Game for Winckowski, but if he continues to perform the way he has, he'll definitely, at the very least, be making a case for himself come July.
Honorable Mentions: Connor Wong (C), John Schreiber (RP), Kike Hernandez (SS)