Jarren Duran, the Boston Red Sox's leadoff hitter and a 2024 All-Star, is facing significant struggles this season, mirroring the overall struggles of his team. In their recent 16-1 defeat to the Tampa Bay Rays, Duran managed only one hit in four at-bats, continuing a disappointing trend where he is hitting just .230 for the season. Despite his impressive power numbers from last year, he's currently on pace for a mere 36 extra-base hits, a stark contrast to the 83 he achieved in 2024.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora has expressed concern over Duran's inconsistent at-bats, noting that he alternates between being overly patient and overly aggressive. His hard-hit metrics are promising, with a 93.1 mph average exit velocity and a 50.9% hard-hit rate, yet his high strikeout and whiff rates indicate a pressing need to refine his approach. Cora aims to get Duran back to driving the ball to left-center field, a technique that previously yielded success during early season road trips.