More proof Jarren Duran has become a legitimate All-Star
Prior to the Red Sox' 9-3 win over the Phillies Thursday night, Jarren Duran sat in front of his locker in a familiar fashion. Headphones on. Immersed in his phone. Getting his focus in order prior to his 69th game of the season.
And within the routine was the quest to stay in the moment, trying to not thinking where any success might lead. For Duran these days, that piece of the equation is easier said than done.
The outfielder - who Alex Cora called an "elite leadoff hitter" after the Sox' series win over Philadelphia - is firmly in conversation to make the American League All-Star team.
"It would mean a lot to be an All-Star," Duran told WEEI.com. "It’s a great accomplishment. Whenever I do sit down and think about it by myself I always think about calling my Dad and telling him. That makes me pretty emotional. I will call my Mom, too, but just calling my Dad, who has coached me since I was a little kid, to be able to tell him I was an All-Star I would probably breakdown telling him on that on the phone. He would tell me (stats) all the time. I’m like, ‘Dad, don’t tell me.’ I don’t hold it against him because he’s proud of me.
"It’s one of those moments you can be proud of yourself. In this sport we’re so caught up in criticizing ourselves and being hard on ourselves, but this is a moment you can be proud of yourself."
A few hours after revealing his feelings on the idea of becoming an All-Star, Duran continued to build All-Star case. First came his leadoff double in the first inning. And then, his next at-bat, the lefty hitter could be found flying around the bases yet again for another double.
It was the seventh time this season Duran has managed multiple extra-base hits in a game, the fifth-most in the majors. But when it comes to the case for the 27-year-old making the All-Star team, that's just the appetizer.
There are only six American League players who own a better WAR (Wins Above Replacement) than Duran's 3.3. (He his tied with a guy named Shohei Ohtani.) As for A.L. outfielders, only Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker are above the Sox' leadoff hitter.
Duran also has the fourth-best OPS (.806) of the A.L. outfielders behind the aforementioned trio, owning the second-most extra-base hits (35), only trailing Judge. He also possesses the second-best BABIP (Batting Average On Balls In Play), coming in at .340.
As a leadoff hitter, Duran is third among all MLB players in runs created (46), only sitting behind Gunnar Henderson and Mookie Betts. There are also those 14 stolen bases, second among all leadoff hitters.
Thursday night, the talents were on full display, contributing to the Red Sox' sixth 10-plus-hit night in their last 12 games. And Duran's primary goal was fulfilled along the way ... his team won.
But something also happened. Duran's All-Star push got yet another bump.
"It helps you think your hard work is paying off when you hear things about it. But I try not to get too caught up in it," he said. "I’m just trying to stay focused and keep playing because when you get caught up in that kind of stuff it affects you and affects the team because it becomes a personal thing. Thinking about the team is the most important thing for me. I’m going to continue to focus on the boys and if it happens, it happens."
