Red Sox option former top prospect with newcomers stealing the show

The Red Sox saw star-type performances from newcomers in Spring Training, leading to a former top prospect being optioned to Triple-A.

There was a time in recent Boston Red Sox history when fans were eagerly anticipating the arrival of outfielder Jarren Duran at the major league level. Those days have not only passed for the fan base but for the front office as well.

With Opening Day upon us, Boston optioned the former top prospect in the organization to Triple-A after the conclusion of Spring Training, as reported by Chad Jennings of The Athletic.

The lefty centerfielder played 91 games in the majors over the past two seasons but struggled in virtually every facet. In his major league career, he slashed just .219/.269/.354 while posting a -0.8 WAR as well, a number affected by a handful of defensive struggles as well.

Still, at only 26 years old, it’s a tough call to send down a former top prospect. However, newcomers to the Red Sox for the 2023 season made that decision much easier.

Red Sox option Jarren Duran with Raimel Tapia, Masataka Yoshida starring

Boston inked three outfielders this offseason who are set to be on the Opening Day roster. With the price they paid, it was never in doubt that Japanese star Masataka Yoshida was going to have a spot but, after an MVP-worthy performance in the World Baseball Classic with 13 RBI (his teammate Shohei Ohtani, of course, got the award over him) and this punctuation mark on spring training, the confidence is high in the newcomer.

Beyond that, though, Adam Duvall proved he was healthy and has been a better bat with more pop in centerfield than Duran has been. More importantly, though, the emergence of Raimel Tapia, formerly of the rival Blue Jays and the Rockies, really solidified the decision to option Duran.

Tapia was a star for the Red Sox in the spring, posting a .988 OPS with two home runs, five RBI and three stolen bases. That was also in addition to him compiling a nice collection of web gems in the tune-up contests as well.

Of course, with injuries — especially given the luck Boston has had in this department — Duran could be back up in the majors soon enough. However, as for now, his past mediocre performance in the show combined with the performance of the newcomers made optioning Duran a no-brainer for the Red Sox.