Alex Cora expects Jarren Duran to be Red Sox’s leadoff hitter in 2024
“Obviously, we need him healthy, out there every day. If he’s healthy, that’s my guy,” Cora said.
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With the Red Sox’s first spring training game of 2024 one week away, manager Alex Cora is already comfortable naming who he wants to lead off the team’s lineup this season.
If he’s healthy and isn’t traded ahead of opening day, Cora said he expects outfielder Jarren Duran to be Boston’s first man to bat.
“When Jarren was leadoff guy for us, we were probably one of the best offenses in the big leagues,” Cora told reporters Friday. “Obviously, we need him healthy, out there every day. If he’s healthy, that’s my guy.”
In 35 games atop the Red Sox’s lineup in 2023, Duran slashed .319/.356/.567 with a .923 OPS. Duran was a spark plug for Boston’s offense in that role; he hit five home runs, 16 doubles, and two triples in the No. 1 batting spot.
The 27-year-old is known for his speed, too. Duran stole 24 bases on 26 attempts last season, another way in which he can bring life to the Red Sox’s offense.
Up until the end of 2023, Duran has stayed relatively healthy since his 2021 major league debut. The outfielder, who played the majority of games in center field last season (75 of 96 total), injured his toe at Yankee Stadium in August.
The ailment cut Duran’s season short, but he is a full-go to begin 2024.
As one of six outfielders on the Red Sox’s roster to begin the year, it’s notable that Cora is confident talking about Duran’s role on the team at the start of spring training.
If he is indeed Boston’s leadoff hitter this season, Duran would presumably slot in as the team’s starting center fielder.
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