Jarren Duran didn't expect to be on the American League All-Star roster two weeks ago. The 27-year-old didn't crack the top 15 outfielders in fan voting, but he proved he absolutely should've.
The Boston Red Sox outfielder's breakout season continued at Globe Life Field on June 16. He entered the All-Star game in a 3-3 tie in the fifth inning and smashed the game-winning homer in his first at-bat.
Duran admired his work as the ball soared into the stands and flipped his bat to begin his trot, something he claimed he'd never done. He remained in the lineup for the rest of the game and later accepted the Ted Williams MVP Award for the night's best performance.
"I feel like it won't hit me until I try and go to sleep tonight," Duran said during the postgame presser. "Who knows if I'll be able to sleep tonight."
Waking up and remembering this. pic.twitter.com/9aoIvOmfos
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 17, 2024
Duran was visibly awestruck throughout the festivities in Arlington, Texas. Fans could feel how big the moment was for one of Boston's brightest stars.
The Red Sox selected Duran in the seventh round of the 2018 draft, and he's been open about his struggle to make it to the majors. Duran adorns his wrist tape with his mottos, "still alive," and "f--k 'em," as a symbol of his hard work and perseverance over mental health challenges — the words were visible as he lifted his MVP award, a full-circle moment for the once-underestimated pick.
Few expected Duran to blossom into a full-blown star for the Red Sox. He was overshadowed by Dave Dombrowski's first-round pick from that year, 18-year-old Triston Casas. Now, he's in a league of his own as one of the most athletic and well-rounded players in the game.
Boston fans have been hard on Dombrowski for the way he left the farm system when he was dismissed as chief baseball officer in 2019. Many of his picks were underwhelming, but he chose Duran, Casas and Ceddanne Rafaela, who look like the future of the squad, years down the line.
Duran has worked hard to become one of the best players in MLB this season. As Boston continues its playoff push and Duran's campaign for MVP grows ever stronger, Red Sox Nation will be behind him.
