Boston Red Sox: Could Jarren Duran fight for the CF position?

Jarren Duran looked good Monday during the Boston Red Sox Spring Training victory against the Minnesota Twins with two good at bats.

In his first at bat of the day, Duran knocked a double to left field and then in his next at bat, followed up with a shot over the baby monster in left.

Not only did he make good contact with the ball today, he looked solid defensively, especially when the sun was in his eyes.

Boston Red Sox have plenty of options for the outfield this year

As everyone knows, last year Duran had a couple blunders out in center field and someone who especially noticed was Chief Baseball Officer, Chaim Bloom. This offseason, Bloom went out and brought in outfielder Adam Duvall with the notion that he was going to be the lead centerfielder.

Not only did Chaim bring in Duvall, he also brought in someone that Duran may be very familiar with. Remember the blunders from last season I just mentioned? His notorious highlight from last season was when he let up the inside the park grand slam to the Blue Jays. More specifically, Ramiel Tapia.

Tapia signed with the Boston Red Sox on a minor league deal and personally, I love the move. This has the opportunity to light a fire under Duran and help him produce to the level that he was expected to produce at when he first came up. The same production that he produces down in Worcester with the WooSox.

At first glance, the fire seems to be lit under Duran’s feet. He came into Spring Training this season looked JACKED and in his Spring Training game of the season he played great on both sides of the ball.

What stood out to me the most (as well as others I’m sure) was the top of the fifth inning.

First, Trevor Larch of the Twins hit a ball straight into the sun towards Duran. Fighting off the sun, the center fielder managed to make the catch while moving back still. Then later in the inning, Joey Gallo hit another ball straight into the air at him again. Duran once again had to fight off the sun and he did so before ending the inning on the catch.

Duran could have a career year this season at the plate, but if he can’t get his defense figured out he won’t ever be the Red Sox’s centerfielder. Early in Spring Training, Boston made it a point to drill fighting off the sun for the outfielders and obviously, it has to be working. Luckily, there will be plenty of sun down in Fort Myers for Duran to practice with.

Hopefully, Duran can really figure things out and be a key piece for the Sox moving forward as his speed could be more important this year than past years due to the bigger bases.