What’s Caught Alex Cora’s Eye Amid Jarren Duran’s 2024 Breakout

BOSTON -- Jarren Duran strived to prove himself at the big league level with the Red Sox, undergoing a tremendous 2024 All-Star season as arguably the franchise's most critical component since Opening Day back in April.

The 27-year-old isn't too far removed from his humble beginnings with the franchise. Last season Duran was beaten out by ex-Red Sox outfielder Raimel Tapia for the club's final roster spot before Opening Day in 2023, sending Duran back to Triple-A Worcester. Yet, since being promoted midway through April of last season, Duran's gained a much-needed sense of comfort and confidence in Boston -- and it hasn't stopped paying off.

"It's the evolution of the hitter," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said before Wednesday night's game against the Blue Jays at Fenway Park. "... He learned how to hit the ball out of the ballpark. That's the last thing that comes with the evolution of the player. Like I said last year, the slugging percentage was driven by his legs. Now he's driving the ball, he's learning how to hit here too. ... Just game-planning, being disciplined about it. There's a lot of things that happen in that video room before the game and after the game. He's been very consistent with it."

Duran's established himself as much more than just an everyday big leaguer, flourishing in the lead-off spot as one of MLB's most lethal extra-base threats. In the batter's box, Duran has normalized turning should-be singles into doubles and doubles into triples, all while terrorizing pitchers and catchers on the basepaths -- Duran has notched a career-best 32 stolen bases through 130 games, becoming MLB's first-ever player to total at least 10 triples, 20 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and 40 doubles in a season. In much simpler terms, Duran is more than worthy of being in the lineup from Opening Day to Game 162, even though the road was a mighty uphill climb for the 2018 seventh-rounder.

"I think all the struggles the last three of four years (drive Duran)," Cora explained. "This is a kid that's been through a lot on the field as far as hitting the ball all over the place in the minor leagues for average. And then 2020 in Pawtucket, hitting the ball into the air to the pull side. Then he came here and that swing wasn't working. They used to attack him with four-seamers up and he was chasing. The fly balls were empty fly balls, and he had to go back, reinvent himself, have conversations with ex-players -- (Dustin) Pedroia -- particularly in spring training. But I think this year it was more about him and the hitting grew more than anything else."

Duran entered Wednesday night's matchup with Toronto leading the American League with 42 doubles while ranking third in total base hits (161).