Jarren Duran making MLB history gives Red Sox star intriguing case for AL MVP

Jarren Duran's 2024 season just keeps getting more impressive. The Boston Red Sox outfielder has posted an incredible turnaround from his 2023 stats, and he's beginning to get the league-wide recognition he deserves.

Many reporters and fans believed Duran's 2023 offense was a fluke, and his defense didn't justify keeping him around if he reverted back to his previous plate production. The Red Sox fielded calls for the outfielder over the winter and it seemed he was destined to be traded.

But Boston held onto him. Now, Duran has raced his way into a likely All-Star spot and potential American League MVP candidacy. He recently snagged a piece of AL history.

Duran homered against the Marlins on July 2 for his 100th hit and 10th home run of the year, the third in his last seven games. He became the first American League player ever to clock 100 hits, 10 homers, 10 triples and 20 stolen bases before the All-Star break.

The only other player in MLB history to accomplish the same feat was José Reyes with the 2008 Mets. He was not selected to the National League All-Star team that season, and Duran's vote count for the 2024 AL squad is astonishingly low.

But Duran deserves the nod, and arguably MVP consideration. The season is just over halfway complete and a lot can change before MVPs are decided, but the 27-year-old breakout star has been a rock for his club.

Jarren Duran's 2024 Red Sox season is worthy of MVP consideration after latest piece of AL history

Duran has started every single game for the Red Sox this season, and he's played across the outfield to do it. His defensive versatility has been a saving grace for his squad when fellow outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela has to move to shortstop. He's maintained an outstanding level of consistency through his many starts and logged six outs above average in the outfield, which is good for 95th-percentile defense, according to Baseball Savant.

Besides his historic offensive metrics, he's recorded 23 doubles and 40 RBI. He's been the picture of consistency at the plate for the Red Sox, and his season deserves all the attention it finally garnered.

The AL has a slew of quality outfielders in the running for All-Star spots and MVP votes, and Duran's season has gone mostly lost in the fray — Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker have dominated much of the conversation, and given their stats, it's well-deserved chatter.

But Duran's season can't be ignored at the expense of big names. He's been a staple of the Red Sox lineup for two seasons and recent AL history should collect him even more deserved attention.

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