BOSTON — For Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, 2024 was the year he went from a key contributor to an All-Star. In fact, he was the MVP of the annual Midsummer Classic.
By lighting up the stat sheet at the plate while playing tremendous defense all season, Duran was named as an outfielder for the All-MLB Second Team presented by MGM Rewards, it was announced on Thursday night during the All-MLB Awards show on MLB Network.
- All-time winners of All-MLB Awards
The First Team outfielders are Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Mookie Betts. Jackson Merrill of the Padres and the Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández joined Duran on the second team.
The All-MLB honors, first established in 2019, recognize the best player(s) at each position across the Majors in the season just ended. Fans account for 50 percent of the voting, with a panel of experts handling the other 50 percent. Participants vote for their choices at catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, outfield (three, without regard for left/center/right) and designated hitter, along with five starting pitchers and two relievers for each of the first and second teams. All choices are based on the 2024 regular season, without regard for American League or National League affiliation.
When Spring Training 2024 started, one of the first announcements Red Sox manager Alex Cora made was that Duran was going to be his everyday leadoff hitter.
Duran made his manager look good, starting 160 of Boston’s 162 games.
“He’s worked so hard. He cares about the game. And he’s been a great leader for us this year,” said veteran shortstop Trevor Story.
The left-handed hitter’s combination of speed and power made him one of MLB’s most dynamic players in ’24.
Duran became the first player in history to have as many as 10 triples, 20 homers, 30 stolen bases and 40 doubles in the same season. While leading MLB in plate appearances, with 735, Duran compiled 111 runs, 191 hits, 48 doubles, 14 triples, 21 homers, 75 RBIs, 34 stolen bases and an OPS+ of 129.
The 28-year-old started 89 games in center and 71 in left, and his 12 assists led all MLB outfielders.
There were also multiple home-run robberies, including the one on June 22 with one out in the ninth inning to preserve a 4-3 win at Cincinnati.
What Duran strives for next is to participate in the postseason for the first time.
“I mean, that’s everybody’s dream, especially in this league,” Duran said. “I mean, with what we had, we did so much and I’m so proud. I’m always hungry for the next step. I’m really happy with where we’re at and what we’re going to accomplish.”
