Camp surprise Duran shows valuable versatility
ARLINGTON — This spring, Ezequiel Duran might hardly have put himself in a extra advantageous place to make the Rangers’ Opening Day roster — even when it’s a place he’s by no means performed in a regular-season Major League sport.
Much of the eye the 23-year-old earned in Spring Training has been, deservedly, for his torrid efficiency on the plate. He began in Tuesday afternoon’s 5-3 exhibition win towards the Royals at Globe Life Field, going 1-for-2 with a double in his first at-bat.
Duran flashed gaudy numbers within the Cactus League, hitting .357 in 56 at-bats over 26 video games, and he solely bought hotter because the schedule progressed. He hit three homers in his final two video games in Arizona, and doubled seven instances in his remaining 12 spring video games. He even stole residence on Tuesday.
All these superlatives apart, supervisor Bruce Bochy mentioned Duran’s most intriguing high quality this spring — and what could have cleared his path to the Opening Day roster — has been his defensive versatility. As an MLB rookie final season, Duran performed largely third base with a smattering of time at second, however this spring, he performed 28 2/3 innings in left subject and 27 innings at shortstop. He additionally performed 58 innings at third.
“If you look at who may have been a surprise in Spring Training, he would be right there at the top,” Bochy mentioned. “How well he’s handled everything — every position I’ve put him at, including shortstop and the outfield.”
Duran began in left subject towards the Royals and made a slick play to finish the second inning by operating down a pointy liner and pulling in an over-the-shoulder catch. He moved to 3rd base to begin the seventh inning, the place he performed the remainder of the sport.
Being capable of play shortstop clearly provides to Duran’s versatility, however the outfield is the place the Rangers instantly want extra depth. They are all however sure to place Leody Taveras on the 10-day injured listing (left indirect pressure) previous to Opening Day, Bochy mentioned.
Duran does have skilled expertise at six positions, albeit not on the massive league degree. Over the course of 2022, at Double-A Frisco, Triple-A Round Rock and within the Dominican Winter League, Duran performed a number of video games in any respect three outfield positions in addition to third, quick and second.
At the Major League degree, although, the Rangers didn’t attempt to use Duran anyplace however third and second throughout his 60 video games there in 2022. Nearly 90 % of his 483 2/3 innings as a Major League fielder have been at third base.
The undeniable fact that Bochy needs to get Duran comfy in Globe Life Field’s outfield now bodes properly for his probabilities to stay with the membership for Thursday’s season opener towards the Phillies.
“He just had an incredible Spring Training for a young guy,” Bochy mentioned. “He had a lot thrown at him. We all know how well he swung the bat, but defensively is what’s impressive.”
Pérez, Gray work extra time
The Rangers solely used two pitchers within the spring finale towards the Royals, and each wanted additional work earlier than their days have been performed.
Starter Martín Pérez allowed one run on two hits and one stroll to go together with 5 strikeouts in 5 innings. He was relieved by Jon Gray, who allowed two runs on three hits and one stroll with seven strikeouts in 4 innings.
Pérez threw about 15 pitches within the bullpen after his 70 within the sport, then Gray stayed on the mound and confronted Rangers hitters for about 10 minutes, after he threw solely 61 pitches within the sport.
