Earlier in the month, Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran was slumping hard and an incident where he used a homophobic slur toward a fan led to a two-game suspension that ended his games played streak.
Since then, he's appeared in eight games and has hit .324 with a 1.071 OPS, three home runs, six RBIs and three stolen bases.
In Boston's series win against the Houston Astros this week, he was incredible, making impressive catches and getting on base nearly every time he stepped to the plate.
After Tuesday's victory, where Duran went 4-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and a walk, Red Sox manager Alex Cora had nothing but great things to say about his center fielder.
“He’s becoming one of those guys that I bet people pay to watch," Cora said (via. MassLive). "They want to see it. You better get here early because from the very first pitch on, he’s going to do something special.”
Cora was especially impressed by the eighth-inning home run that gave Boston the lead.
“We had to grind. It felt like that game lasted five hours,” said Cora. “Every pitch meant a lot. But he’s so dynamic. He’s so good. Kaleb is throwing the ball outstanding and he gets to a pitch and hits it the other way and we get the lead.
“He’s the perfect player for this environment. They want players to play fast, be physical and be athletic, look at him. He can do all that stuff.”
When it comes to his actual play, Duran has done everything the Red Sox could've asked of him and more this season, and he should be in the conversation for the American League MVP.
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