Duran has raised his defense to elite
ST. PETERSbURG, fla. — After a catastrophic defensive season in 2023, the Red Sox have been thrilled with a transformation this season — particularly in the outfield.
“It’s a lot different,” manager alex Cora said of his team’s outfield play in 2024. “Now there’s a comfort level in the dugout. When they hit the ball in the air, we know we’re going to catch it unless it goes over the wall.”
The latest demonstration occurred in a 5-0 win over the Rays on Monday night. Wilyer abreu made a spectacular throw on a hit down the right-field line to throw out a runner at second, Jarren duran tracked down multiple balls in the gaps and at the fence in center, and tyler o’neill made a terrific running grab atop the Red Sox bullpen mounds in foul territory down the left-field line.
It was a display of, quite literally, line-to-line coverage by a group that has been a strength. Entering Tuesday, Sox outfielders ranked sixth in the big leagues, according to baseball Savant, in both outs Above Average (five) and runs saved (four). The fielding bible created the Sox with a major leaguebest 17 Defensive Runs Saved.
Duran — who entered the year slated to play mostly in left, but has been the Sox’ primary center fielder with Ceddanne rafaela moved to shortstop — has been a standout. He entered Tuesday ranked seventh in the big leagues in oAA (six) and second in DRS (12).
“I’m seeing dramatic improvement from two years ago,” said third-base and outfield coach kyle Hudson. “We saw some improvement last year in the numbers and everything else, and then he’s taking it to another level this year. He’s considered probably the one of the best defenders in the game right now. The metrics are saying that.”
Entering 2023, when Hudson joined the Sox, the team made improved jumps a focus for Duran.
“We did a thing with our analytic team. It said route efficiency doesn’t necessarily lead to making better catches. It’s your first step,” said Duran. “If you look to guys like Jackie bradley
[Jr. ],[ kevin] kiermaier ,[ kevin] Pillar, the route efficiency isn’t the best, but their first step is so quick and they’re just able to move and adjust on the run. We were able to break stuff down and just say, ‘Trust your first step and just go.’ I feel like that’s helped me.”
Duran, who’d been slightly above average in outfield jumps in 2022, emerged as elite in terms of the ground he covers in the first second that a ball is off the bat in 2023. This year, he’s maintained that elite burst on contact while also, according to Hudson, improving the direction of his jumps, evident recently in a diving play in St. louis that both Duran and Hudson identified as his best of the year.
He’s also cleaned up his running form (now more conventionally upright as opposed to what Hudson has called “the lizard” of side-to-side movement), making it easier for Duran to track the ball while he chases it down. They also incorporated drills in spring training, such as having Duran chase down tennis balls thrown from behind him, to get him more comfortable with ball tracking.
Duran says he’s gained confidence in the outfield, knowing that in center, he has priority to catch anything he can get. With that work and confidence, the results have often been spectacular.
“We’re seeing the benefits of a kid going out there and wanting to get better every day. It’s translating to the field. I’m proud of the kid. I tell him that every day,” said Hudson. “If he can stay healthy and continues to do what he does, I can absolutely see [him winning a Gold Glove]. That’d be an awesome reward for a guy who goes out there and works as hard as he does every day.”
kluber’s now a talker
cora dropped a shocking nugget when he revealed that retired pitcher Corey kluber — respected during his career as a man of few words — recently interviewed him for a podcast.
“When he texted me a few months ago, he’s like, ‘Ac, when you come to Tampa, I want you on my podcast.’ I was like, ‘What?!’ ” cora revealed of his 2023 opening Day starter. “Ironic. We didn’t see that coming.”
Cespedes visits team
The Red Sox’ florida complex league team, following a dramatic comeback win in Sarasota over the orioles’ Rookie ball affiliate in which highly regarded prospect Yoeilin Cespedes hit a grand slam, visited the big league team at Tropicana field. for many of the players, it marked their first time on a big league field. cespedes (.286/.382/ .571) has been an early standout in fcl play. The 18-year-old, a bat-speed standout, has already hit a number of balls over 110 miles per hour.
Hendriks progressing
Reliever liam Hendriks is with the Red Sox in Tampa bay while continuing his rehab from Tommy John surgery. He’s now throwing at 120 feet from flat ground multiple times per week. He has yet to start throwing off a mound, but continues to make steady progress toward his goal of a late-summer return.
“I think it’s going to happen this year to be honest with you,” cora said of Hendriks returning to the big leagues. “When I don’t know, but the way things are going and the way he’s working, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Flores fills in for Fox
first-base coach andy Fox left the team to attend his son drew’s high school graduation. WooSox bench coach Jose Flores joined the team to coach first base in his absence . . . triston Casas, who landed on the injured list on April 21 with a cartilage tear in his ribcage, is slowly ramping up baseball activities, though he’s not eligible to come off the 60-day injured list until June 20. Designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (thumb) has yet to start baseball activities . . . Garrett Whitlock had yet to see dr. Jeffrey dugas in Alabama about his damaged elbow ligament, but is expected to soon with a strong possibility he’ll need season-ending surgery.