Duran's Pull-Happy Approach Hurting His Game

0:00On April 23rd, Jaren Duran, the Boston Red Sox Outfielder and former All-Star, is off to a rough start this season. Through 19 games, he's hitting just 194 with the 266 on base and 306 lugging, one home run, 22 strikeouts, and only 14 hits total. Inconsistent playing time hasn't helped amid the team's crowded outfield situation, forcing him in and out of the lineup. On top of that, he switched up his approach at the plate, pulling the ball way more than before. For a lefty hitter like Duran at Fenway Park, that's a tough strategy. The right field is huge, but the green monster in left is right there, so going opposite field more often would play better into his strengths and boost his average. Now entering the series finale against the Yankees, his pull rates hits at a career high 40% while his opposite field contact is down to A. Low 18%, that's tracked right along with his stats dipping over the last two seasons as he's gotten pull happy.

1:01If Duran wants to recapture that MVP level fire from 2024, dialing back the polls and spraying balls the other way could get him back on. Track Quick. I'm Cory with the story, and you've been listening to Boston Red Sox News today, AI Power Team Coverage.