Red Sox

Zack Kelly backs up Jarren Duran’s All-Star bid with pointed message

"It’s ridiculous that Duran is 19th in AL outfielders [for voting]."

Jarren Duran is in the midst of a breakout season for the Red Sox. Photo by Matthew J Lee/Globe Staff

June 25, 2024

Jarren Duran has been on a roll for the red-hot Red Sox.

The spark at the top of Boston’s lineup, the 27-year-old outfielder is currently slashing .293/.355/.488 with seven home runs, 37 RBI, 20 steals, an AL-best 23 doubles, and a league-leading 10 triples.

Duran, who delivered a walk-off hit to lift Boston past the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night, is now in the midst of a 14-game hit streak — batting .419 over that stretch with nine extra-base hits and 16 runs scored.

Jarren Duran … Got it!

With the Celtics watching on, the @RedSox walk it off! pic.twitter.com/Mt9dVRwS9O
— MLB (@MLB) June 25, 2024

But even though Duran currently ranks fourth in MLB in WAR (behind only Gunnar Henderson, Aaron Judge, and Shohei Ohtani), his breakout season has not led to much recognition as far as All-Star consideration.

In the latest update in All-Star voting that was released on Monday afternoon, Duran ranked 19th overall among American League outfielders in fan voting. With the AL’s top-six vote-getters set to be officially announced on Thursday, June 27, Duran likely won’t have enough time to leapfrog multiple players and earn a spot on the AL roster.

Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has finally cracked the top 20 for AL All-Star voting. pic.twitter.com/usYYWkcJk4
— Chris Henrique (@ChrisHenrique) June 24, 2024

That didn’t sit right with Red Sox pitcher Zack Kelly, who backed up his teammate while speaking to the Boston Herald’s Gabrielle Star following Monday’s win.

“Duran: All-Star. Hell yeah,” Kelly told Star. “It’s ridiculous that Duran is 19th in AL outfielders [for voting] and he has a top-10 WAR in all of baseball. That’s bull[expletive]. You can put that in print, too.”

It’s hard to argue with Duran’s baseline stats and underlying metrics and project him on the outside looking in at an All-Star roster in July.

Duran still has a chance to make the team as a reserve, with 23 players for both the AL and NL teams set to be selected via a “Players Ballot” that will be announced on Sunday, July 7.

The MLB All-Star Game will be held on July 16 at Globe Life Field Park in Arlington, Texas.