Many are now assuming that Alex Bregman will automatically take that official step into becoming the team's leader. Hold it for a second, because there's another player that everyone in the clubhouse is praising; that being Jarren Duran.
Over the past couple of years, Duran has solidified his time in Boston as one for the ages. He has a very influential edge towards him that many in this league lack.
After struggling and dealing with death threats off the field in 2022, he was going through a dark path, recently disclosing the mental health crisis he was going through at the time. He took it as a blessing and worked his tail off to get better at what he wanted to do in life, to play baseball.
His mental health is an example of what many players go through on a given day. Constantly being overlooked by their statlines, getting berated when they inevitably fail, and it takes a mental strain on anyone who plays a sport, professionally or not. His 2023 was a rebound season that nobody saw coming, and he ran with the starting centerfield job. He was then moved to left field after Rafaela took over duties in center, but that didn't stop Duran from adjusting to every ball that was hit to him.
But his real strength was his speed. Duran is arguably one of the fastest runners in baseball, with a run time of around 20 MPH. That's a car driving through a school zone for reference. He led the league in triples and doubles in 2024, while hitting 21 HRs and an OPS+ of 131. All the while finishing 8th in AL MVP voting. He's what Jacoby Ellsbury should've been if not for all the injuries he sustained.
His story has caused so much praise that children look up to him, younger players coming through the ranks are asking him for advice, and he wears his heart on his sleeve. If anyone is destined to be a leader or a face of the clubhouse, it's Jarren Duran.