Duran is providing the Red Sox with a spark

Boston Red Sox center fielder Jarren Duran. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Jarren Duran providing the Red Sox with a much-needed spark

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 4/26/23

Breaking into the MLB in 2021, Jarren Duran has spent time in the majors in each of the past two seasons for the Red Sox. Appearing in 91 games he struggled to make an impact, posting a .219/.269/.354 slash line.

Always highly thought of in the Red Sox organization, the hope has always been for him to be the center fielder of the future for the club but with his struggles at the plate they decided to bring in some outside help this year in Adam Duvall.

This was a wake-up call for Duran and had him focused to be a better player in 2023.

Off to a slow start in Triple-A, Duran was called up to provide outfield depth after Adam Duvall went down with a fractured wrist.

Through his first 10 games with the Red Sox in 2023, Duran is slashing .400/.425/.629 adding five doubles and 10 RBI, also launching his first-career grand slam against the Orioles on April 25.

Jarren Duran missiles one to center for the first grand slam of his career.

(MLB x @DairyQueen) pic.twitter.com/dgghtqCQVC
— MLB (@MLB) April 25, 2023

With new confidence at the plate, Duran recently gave a postgame shout-out to teammates Enrique Hernandez, Alex Verdugo and Justin Turner for supporting him this season.

"Even when I mess up they tell me like hey man, it's baseball, it happens. So just having those guys backing me up feels really good." said Duran.

Not only has his bat been better in this stint, but Duran has also been playing great defense in center field.

With a quick first step, Duran is using his speed to run down balls in the gap that he usually wouldn't get to resulting in positive defensive metrics for the first time in his major league career.

Nice play by Jarren Duran pic.twitter.com/GgmLi6YyDf
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) April 24, 2023

The Red Sox fighting to stay alive in the tough American League East will need all the help they can get and Duran is doing all he can to force their hand into keeping him with the big league club for the rest of the season.

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