The 2024 campaign has been the definition of a breakout season for Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran.
Duran, who never cracked Boston's Opening Day roster until this year, has made marked improvements in all aspects of his game. He's turned himself into a well-rounded hitter and no longer looks like an athlete trying to play the outfield. The 27-year-old has even built on arguably his greatest on-field strength: his game-changing speed.
Duran's developments aren't limited to baseball skills, though. The 2024 All-Star also has blossomed into a leader for the Red Sox thanks in part to a push from one of his veteran teammates.
More Red Sox
"I challenged Jarren," Rob Refsnyder told The Boston Globe's Julian McWilliams. "I said, 'Whatever you feel is appropriate in that moment to say or do, just do that.' Because he's earned it. And guys really, really rally around him and they love him."
Story continues below advertisement
Duran's leadership was on display after an ugly home loss to the New York Yankees in mid-June when the outfielder gave an impassioned postgame speech to teammates. Boston won the final two games of that series against its fiercest rival and proceeded to go 16-7 in the final stretch leading up to the MLB All-Star break. The Red Sox now own a two-game lead in the race for the final American League wild-card spot and they're only 4 1/2 games out of first place in the division.
The fourth-year outfielder is set to reap the benefits of his hard week this week in Texas. Duran, alongside teammate Tanner Houck, will be on-hand for the Midsummer Classic festivities at Globe Life Field.
Featured image via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images
