Despite their average record and general lack of hype around the roster, the Boston Red Sox have multiple players who belong on the American League All-Star team.
Jarren Duran is chief among them. The outfielder's play has transformed over just one offseason and he's become one of the most electric and dynamic players in baseball.
Duran has started every game this season for Boston. Both his bat and his defense have been the definition of reliable. Duran is batting .277/.346/.463 with 21 doubles and a league-leading 10 triples. He's also getting more comfortable swinging for the fences — Duran has five homers on the season, four of which have come since May 16.
Duran's speed is regarded as his greatest asset, and it helps him on both sides of the ball. He's logged 17 steals in 73 games. He ranks in the 99th percentile in baserunning run value, according to Baseball Savant. Duran can run down balls in the outfield with ease, thanks to his 94th percentile sprint speed.
Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran deserves a starting job in the All-Star game, but he won't get one
The quality of Duran's defense has increased exponentially since last season. He's posted five outs above average and ranks second among AL outfielders in defensive runs saved behind Daulton Varsho. In 2023, Duran's defense ranked just above league average, in the 56th percentile.
NESN and ESPN have given Triston Casas his fair share of airtime in recent games, and he's used it to advocate for Duran's place on the AL All-Star team. He shared Duran's best stats off the top of his head, but made sure to mention his biggest competition for roster spots.
Keep the votes coming and send your Sox to Texas!
— Red Sox (@RedSox) June 17, 2024
🗳 https://t.co/Lx6YrP9qIn pic.twitter.com/74D4ukESg3
Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker are all sure-fire starters in this season's All-Star game. Duran hasn't even cracked the top 20 in outfield voting, despite being the Red Sox's most well-rounded player and one of the best outfielders in the league. Anthony Santander, Colton Cowser, Alex Verdugo, and the injured Mike Trout are all in the top 10 in outfield votes as of June 17, while Duran is nowhere to be seen.
Red Sox fans are historically bad at voting players into the All-Star game, but Duran is being snubbed across the league. His stellar play on both sides of the ball absolutely deserves recognition, and more baseball fans, Red Sox or otherwise, should be giving him the credit he deserves.