Jarren Duran, the Boston Red Sox’s electrifying outfielder, has been a fan favorite for his speed, hustle, and breakout performances. After a stellar 2024 season where he earned All-Star Game MVP honors, expectations were sky-high for 2025. But as the summer heat of August fades, so too has Duran’s offensive spark. With a dismal .669 OPS in August and a season-long struggle that marks his worst offensive output since joining the Red Sox in 2023, fans are left wondering: what’s gone wrong? Manager Alex Cora, never one to shy away from tough conversations, recently offered a candid assessment of Duran’s decline, shedding light on the challenges and the path forward for the 28-year-old star.

Duran’s 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular. He slashed .285/.342/.492, led the majors in doubles (48) and triples (14), and posted an 8.7 WAR, finishing eighth in AL MVP voting. His energy was infectious, his base-stealing prowess unmatched, and his ability to play all 160 games—minus a two-game suspension for a controversial incident—made him a cornerstone of Boston’s lineup. Red Sox manager Alex Cora leaned heavily on Duran, even calling him a leader for the next generation of Red Sox players. “We need a leader,” Cora said last year, emphasizing Duran’s role in setting an example for younger teammates. Yet, 2025 has painted a different picture. Through the first 44 games, Duran’s slash line sits at a pedestrian .253/.298/.376, with a mere 0.0 WAR, a stark contrast to his previous heroics.

So, what’s behind this unexpected dip? Cora, in his characteristic straightforward style, pinpointed the issue: plate discipline. “I was just looking in our system and he’s hitting the ball hard. The expected numbers are good. He’s not chasing as much. Just one of those that—he’ll be OK. Just gotta be patient and he needs to be patient, too,” Cora told reporters after a recent game against the Baltimore Orioles. Despite the slump, Cora’s optimism is grounded in data. Duran’s expected batting metrics suggest he’s making solid contact, but the results aren’t showing. The manager’s advice? Better pitch selection. Duran has a tendency to chase pitches outside the strike zone, leading to weak contact or strikeouts. In his last six games alone, he struck out nine times, a troubling trend for a leadoff hitter tasked with setting the table for Boston’s offense.

The numbers tell a grim story. Duran’s .674 OPS in 2025 is a far cry from his 2023 (.850) and 2024 (.838) marks. His on-base percentage, critical for a leadoff man, has plummeted to .298, with no walks since April 30. This lack of patience has limited his opportunities to utilize his elite speed, resulting in just three stolen bases this season compared to 34 in 2024. Cora acknowledged this inconsistency earlier in the year, noting, “All over the place. Sometimes patient, sometimes too aggressive. He’s getting into swing mode in certain at-bats and swinging and missing a lot.” The Red Sox, hovering around .500 and fighting for a playoff spot, can’t afford for their leadoff hitter to remain in this funk.

Duran’s struggles aren’t just statistical—they’re emotional. The outfielder has been open about his mental health battles, including a suicide attempt in 2022, as revealed in the Netflix documentary The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox. Cora praised Duran’s courage, saying, “He should be nominated already for the Roberto Clemente Award. Right now. He’s saving lives and we’re very proud of him.” This openness has resonated with fans, with organizations like Samaritans reporting a tripling of texts to their youth helpline after Duran’s story aired. But the pressure of performing in Boston, a city that lives and breathes baseball, can weigh heavily. Cora, who has emphasized mental health support since joining the Red Sox in 2005, believes the organization’s resources— including mental performance coordinator Jake Chaplin and a robust behavioral health team—are helping Duran navigate these challenges.

The Red Sox’s roster dynamics add another layer to Duran’s struggles. With emerging stars like Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu vying for outfield spots, Cora has reduced Duran’s playing time, a move that sparked curiosity among fans. Duran, who expressed a desire to play all 162 games this season, has already sat out three games in 2025. “A.C. has a plan and I trust him full tilt,” Duran said, showing his commitment to the team despite the reduced role. Cora’s strategy is clear: balance the lineup to give younger players like Anthony, who’s batting .383 over his last 11 games, more opportunities while keeping veterans fresh. “It’s good to have a lot of good players on the same roster,” Cora explained, hinting at a potential outfield logjam that could even lead to trade rumors as the July 31 deadline looms.

Despite the downturn, there’s reason for hope. Duran’s recent performance against the Orioles—going 1-3 with a home run, three RBIs, and a walk—offers a glimpse of his potential to turn things around. His 2023 season, which ended prematurely due to a toe injury requiring surgery, still saw him hit .295 with 34 doubles, showcasing his ability to rebound from adversity. Cora’s faith in Duran remains unshaken. “I think JD is in a great spot offensively where his hands are, going the other way,” Cora said back in 2023 when Duran was sent to Triple-A, a reminder that the manager has long believed in his outfielder’s potential.

The Red Sox’s broader success this season also cushions Duran’s struggles. With eight position players boasting 2.0 WAR or higher and pitchers like Brayan Bello stepping up, Boston remains a dangerous team. Cora’s ability to manage a deep roster has kept the Red Sox competitive, even as Duran searches for his groove. “There isn’t anyone on the Red Sox roster that’s not pulling their weight,” noted one analyst, highlighting the team’s balanced attack.

For Duran, the path forward is about patience and trust—both in himself and in Cora’s plan. His mental resilience, forged through personal battles, and his physical tools, still among the best in the game, suggest this slump is temporary. As Cora put it, “He’ll be OK.” The question isn’t if Duran will rebound, but when. Will he rediscover his All-Star form before the season’s end, or will the Red Sox need to make tough decisions about their outfield? For now, Boston fans are holding their breath, hoping their leadoff man can reignite the spark that made him a star.