“Red Sox's Jarren Duran is a finalist for offensive breakthrough award”

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran was one of three team representatives selected for the All-Star Game in July in Texas. Now the 28-year-old is one of the league's best hitters nominated for the 2024 Hank Aaron Award.

Duran was named among 20 finalists, including 10 in the American League, in the running for the award after a history-making campaign as Boston's most reliable starting outfielder. He recorded a career-high 160 plate appearances, batted .285 with 21 home runs and 75 RBIs, and became the first MLB player ever to record 40 doubles (48), 30 stolen bases (34), 20 home runs (21), and 10 triples (14) – all while playing an elite outfield, posting a .984 fielding percentage in 374 defensive chances.

Along with teammate and fellow first-time All-Star Tanner Houck, Duran participated in the Midsummer Classic at Globe Life Field and took home All-Star Game MVP honors – Boston's first since JD Drew in 2008 – after winning a After hitting the go-ahead home run in the bottom half of the fifth inning, AL was on top for good.

Duran consistently used his team-best speed to effectively impact games. Extending singles into extra bases, finding flyouts and finishing the year with a career-best 34 stolen bases made Duran an exemplary member of the Boston clubhouse. As the Red Sox lean on the wave of young players to establish themselves, Duran offers an ideal plan for how to approach each game over the course of the season – going full throttle from Opening Day to Game 162.

“When we talk about consistency, posting the right things and playing the game the right way, this guy (expletive) is great,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Duran when the All-Star rosters were announced. “We have kids here and I bet if you want your kids to become big leaguers and play the game right, you'll tell them to watch Jarren Duran, (expletive) All-Star!”

New York Yankees outfielders Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, Baltimore Orioles teammates Gunnar Henderson and Anthony Santander, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez, first baseman Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Guardians third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Jose Ramirez and Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker are among the other AL candidates. The Red Sox haven't had a Hank Aaron Award winner since JD Martinez in 2018.