Boston Red Sox outfielder, stole the 2024 MLB All-Star Game show at Globe Life Field in Texas. Duran received MVP after hitting a go-ahead two-run home run in the fifth inning to lead the American League to a 5-3 victory over the National League.
This year, according to Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report, Duran will return to the MLB All-Star Game as an AL reserve, alongside teammate Triston Casas, at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Reuter does not include any Red Sox players in the AL starting lineup, instead selecting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays over Casas at first base. Given his offensive talent, Casas’ first All-Star appearance would not be surprising.
The 25-year-old has fared remarkably well at the plate outside of his terrible 2024, a season in which he was limited to 63 games because of torn cartilage in his left ribcage. In 2023, Casas hit.263/.367/.490 with a.856 in his first full season in the MLB. He had an impressive power stroke, finishing the year with 24 home runs.
According to his Baseball Savant page, Casas’s poorest talent in the batter’s box that season was a 25.1 percent strikeout percentage, which ranked him in the 29th percentile in the league. Casas must improve his defense at first base to assure he’s on a flight to Arlington, Texas, in July. His outs above average (OAA) in 125 games at first base in 2023 were -10.
MLB All-Star reserves are chosen by player ballots and the Commissioner’s Office, so Casas’ peers may compare his defensive ability to Gold Glove Award candidates at first base, such as Christian Walker of the Houston Astros and Paul Goldschmidt of the New York Yankees.
