BOSTON SPORTS WAVE

Christian Arroyo Says Jarren Duran ‘Brings a Dynamic’ to Boston Red Sox: ‘Jarren is a Heck of a Player’

Jarren Duran was scheduled to make his Major-League debut Thursday night.

But the contest between the Yankees and Red Sox Thursday night was postponed due to three positive COVID-19 tests in the Yankees’ organization, and he was sat out Friday night against left-hander Jordan Montgomery. However, he’s expected to play Saturday night.

With Duran on the roster, it bring a bit of complexity to the Red Sox’s everyday lineup. Kike Hernandez, who was brought in to play second base, gradually turned into the everyday centerfielder. Christian Arroyo has turned into the everyday second baseman, despite several injuries, with his breakout campaign.

With centerfielder Jarren Duran being called up, that pushes Kike Hernandez to the second base role. With that, Arroyo has been spotted taking grounders at first base, and could possibly turn into the everyday first baseman (Meaning Bobby Dalbec would platoon at first base).

 

While Arroyo’s everyday role with the club is seemingly getting changed, he isn’t all that upset about it.

“I mean I’ve moved around a bit — obviously have played short(stop), second (base) and third (base). If I need to play there, and I’m going to help our team win there, then that’s what it is,” Arroyo remarked about the move to first. “I got some good work in with Ramon (Vazquez) and (Carlos) Febles the other day — I guess it’s just little things, as far as, the things that you’re just not used to. The picks at first, that’s going to be a little different. But at the end of the day, you’re fielding ground balls still, and you’re just trying to catch the baseball. I don’t think it will be too difficult, but we got some of the best infield coaches in the league and they’re going to help me whichever way they can. I mean, I can play wherever they need me.”

Arroyo says things like Duran being called up are out of his control, and that he’s going to contribute to the Red Sox whichever way he can.

“Those are things I can’t control,” Arroyo said when he was asked about his role being changed. “I’m here to win baseball games for the Boston Red Sox, and I’m going to do that whichever way I can. For me, at the end of the day, that’s what it’s about — it’s about winning.”

“Jarren (Duran) is a heck of a player,” he continued. “I got to watch him in spring training and then even more when I was rehabbing a couple times.”

The left-handed of Duran bat has hit .270/.365/.561 while blasting 15 homers through his 46 games with Triple-A Worcester. He’s posted a wRC+ of 143 while recording 35 RBIs, and a .398 wOBA, before being promoted on Thursday. The 24-year-old ranks as the second Red Sox prospect on soxprospects.com.

“He brings a dynamic to our team,” said Arroyo. “I’m never going to complain about guys that are going to come up here and contribute to our success. I’m here to win baseball games and that’s all I’m concerned about. For me, however I can help the team win, that’s what I want to keep doing.”

Arroyo, who has had short tenures with the Giants, Rays, and Indians, has never been in an everyday role, like he’s made for himself in Boston. The 26-year-old was picked up on waivers last season by the Red Sox, after the Indians waived him. He was solid at the very end of the season for the Red Sox, and made the team in spring training. The right-handed bat has made a name for himself in Bostondespite multiple injuries, and says that he has matured over the years as a player.

“Playing with a couple other teams and stuff I’ve kind of had a different outlook I guess you could say, on roster and stuff like that. And I don’t really let that bother me or pay attention to it anymore,” Arroyo said. “When you start thinking about all that stuff it kind of inhibits you as a player.”

‘At the end of the day you come to the ballpark to help your team win in one shape or another,” the infielder went on to say. “If you’re not starting that day, come in and have a pinch-hit AB, grind an at-bat out or something to help the team win. I think I’ve matured in my years from that aspect, but then again, Jarren brings a dynamic to our team that we need, and that’s always going to be welcomed. I mean, he’s fast as heck, he’s powerful, he’s a left-handed batter — there’s a lot of positives about it. Again, when I look at that kind of stuff, I just welcome whoever with open arms. As long as they’re going to help us win, that’s what I care about.”

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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