Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran already knows at least two of the American League All-Stars since he’s teammates with Rafael Devers and Tanner Houck.
Duran will get to know the rest of them when they convene at Globe Life Field next week for the 94th annual Midsummer Classic.
But there’s one player in particular Duran is most excited to meet and he just so happens to play for a rival team.
“Honestly, I’ve never stood next to (Aaron) Judge, so I kind of want to see what it’s about,” Duran said during Sunday night’s win over the New York Yankees as part of an in-game interview with ESPN. “Rob (Refsnyder) always talks about how big of a guy he is. So, I might just try to sneak up behind him and see the size difference.”
Judge, who stands at 6-foot-7 and 282 pounds, practically towers over everyone in MLB, including the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Duran.
But while Duran might not be on the same level as Judge — both in stature and popularity — he does fit in with the Yankees slugger and the rest of the All-Stars.
They have to respect how Duran has performed over the first half of the season to become a deserving All-Star for the first time in his career. Duran is batting .276 with 10 home runs, 40 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and a league-leading 10 triples. The 27-year-old also became the first American League player to record 10 homers, 100 hits, 10 triples and 20 stolen bases prior to the All-Star break, according to Red Sox senior manager of media relations and baseball information J.P. Long.
Duran and Judge most likely won’t be in the lineup at the same time with Duran slotted as a reserve and Judge voted into the starting lineup by the fans. But it could give Duran the chance to take over for Judge during the exhibition contest.
The two will get a chance to showcase their stellar skill sets next Tuesday with the All-Star Game scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
