I Was Wrong For Giving Up On Jarren Duran

I Was Wrong For Giving Up On Jarren Duran

Hand up, I was wrong. I’m man enough to admit that. It usually happens once a year (literally) and I’m putting myself on blast for giving up on Jarren Duran too soon. If I ran the Red Sox, I absolutely would have moved on from Duran and it would have been a massive mistake.

Duran, 27, is legitimately one of the best players in baseball. Just two years ago, he was literally one of the worst players in baseball. A 25-year-old middle-tier prospect who wasn’t going anywhere and was one of the worst defensive players in the entire sport. Now he’s 5th in WAR among all players and just won MVP of the All-Star Game.

How did it happen? Last year the lightbulb really clicked for Duran. He became a real MLB player last year but still had holes in his game. Keep in mind, the Red Sox themselves held trade discussions over Duran simply because they have so many outfield options and Roman Anthony is on the way. Now… I’m not sure you would trade him straight up for Mookie Betts. Yes, he’s that good.

The guy just brings everything to the table. He used to suck at defense. Now he’s in the 95th percentile in outs above average. The former 7th round pick out of Cal State Long Beach is an absolute menace on the base paths with 22 steals and the 100th percentile in base running value. Not to mention a 125 OPS+ and the total sparkplug Boston has needed at the top of the order.

There’s nothing for me to say other than I’m being accountable for my actions. If anything, it’s your friendly reminder that it’s baseball. A sport that truly anything can happen. Another friendly reminder that when I’m wrong, it’s usually because I misjudged the character of the human himself. Duran is clearly a guy who works hard and puts the time in. His biceps are no joke and it sure helps to have the best manager in baseball helping develop the player.

Cheers to Jarren Duran. What a story and what a player. The Red Sox are lucky to have him and I for sure was wrong.

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