Jarren Duran has come a long way from minor-league prospect to Red Sox star. Here's my take:

Let me preface this column by acknowledging that I haven’t been around Jarren Duran since he became a full-time major leaguer with the Boston Red Sox. My only connection with the player was during his two seasons with the Worcester Red Sox. As a beat writer for the WooSox, I spent nearly every day covering him during two seasons and witnessed the person and the player.

Duran has become the new baseball sensation in New England, but my experience with him was completely different. I respect how he’s turned his career around after his early struggles both on and off the field, but there’s more to his development than fans know.

During the 2020 season, Tony Massarotti, of Felger & Mazz on 98.5 The Sports Hub, asked me to join the show to discuss the development of Red Sox prospect Jarren Duran.

The highly touted outfielder was tearing up the Triple-A level for the WooSox and a promotion to Boston was on the horizon. When news broke that Duran would join the Red Sox and make his major league debut, Mazz reached out for my evaluation.

I’ve covered the top prospects in the Red Sox organization since 2001 and watched some impressive ball players come through Pawtucket. Some eventually made significant impacts in Boston and helped the Red Sox win four World Series titles — in 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018. Other would-be prospects faded and fizzled and never lived up to expectations.

When Mazz asked me about Duran, I said, other than Dustin Pedroia, who is in his own category, I haven’t seen a prospect with the type of talent and ability Duran possesses. Mazz was taken aback by my comments, so I expanded on them and gave him examples as to why I thought that way.

While I wouldn’t take back any of the comments about his talents, I just wish I had a better idea of the entire package.

Duran was not what I thought he would be. The fact is that he was not the best prospect I had covered and he was far from the complete package. He was 25 at the time and had a long way to go. He still needed to learn how to be a professional and needed to mature.

At the time I gave my scouting report to Mazz, media remained separated from the players because of COVID-19 protocols and guidelines. Writers weren’t allowed in the clubhouse, on the field or in the dugout. Interviews were conducted via Zoom calls and even those were tough to facilitate.

Without having face-to-face interactions, I based my evaluation of Duran solely on what I saw on the field during early-season alternate site workouts and then finally games.

It was evident he possessed the ability to become a five-tool player. He can hit and hit for power. He’s strong and his legs carry game-changing speed. His defense needed work but his athleticism made up for deficiencies in the outfield.

Duran’s work ethic also seemed strong. He would run out a routine ground ball like he was playing Game 7 of the World Series. There was no denying his talent.

Once COVID-19 restrictions were lifted and media was allowed on the field to interview players or watch batting practice from the dugout, I was able to learn who Jarren Duran really was and how far away he was from being a true professional.

He declined interviews time and again, and when he agreed, he would roll his eyes and show his reluctance. Since Minor League Baseball is a developmental league, it also includes learning how to work with the media. I tried time and again to explain this to him but he did not want to hear it.

About a week before he was called up to the major league club, the WooSox were on the road and suddenly he wasn’t in the starting lineup. I was not on the road with the team, so I sent a text to someone on the Red Sox baseball operations staff and asked why Duran was not playing.

I was told he was out for precautionary reasons due to a stiff back, so I did my job and tweeted out the information to stifle any rumors that indicated he was going to be called up. Within minutes of my tweet, I received a text message from Duran in which he asked me how I found out about his back issues. He wasn’t happy when I wouldn’t tell him, other than saying it came from the Red Sox.

He responded: “Just sucks can’t even have something kept to myself without it being spilled on social media like it was by you.” It was followed by a frowning emoji.

I responded by telling him that I would be more than happy to sit down with him when the team returned to Worcester. I also told him that if he had any issues with me to please check with Red Sox manager Alex Cora, Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz or any current Red Sox player he respects for any intel on how I do my job.

I added that I’m as fair as fair can be and would help him learn this side of the game, which will help him if and when he gets to Boston. Case in point: Years ago when the Red Sox would hold their Rookie Development Camp in the winter, the club would have legendary baseball writer Peter Gammons speak with the players about the relationship between players and the media. I was willing to help Duran but he never took me up on the offer.

Fast forward to the start of the 2021 season.

Media was allowed in the clubhouse again, so on the first day of the season, a few of us walked into the WooSox clubhouse at Polar Park. When Duran saw us walking in, he said: “Great, they’re allowed back in.”

My issues with Duran aren’t solely based on my personal interactions with him. I just want to explain and give examples as to why I believe he wasn’t ready to become a full-time major league player.

During a homestand that season, I was standing in the dugout and witnessed how Duran was disrespectful to hitting coach Rich Gedman in front of the entire team. Gedman, a Red Sox Hall of Famer, is one of the most beloved members of the Red Sox family. Everyone respects Geddy and it was difficult to watch a young player disrespect a local legend.

Duran goofs around all the time. I’m all about having fun, but he had been disruptive and disrespectful at times. He walked onto the field for the team stretch and was wearing a Red Sox bucket hat. Gedman, who was warming up to throw batting practice, asked him to change it to match what everyone else was wearing. After all those are the rules.

Duran ignored Gedman and walked away. Gedman yelled about not being a team player and Duran simply laughed and went about his business. Later, Duran had every WooSox player who has made an appearance with the Red Sox this season wear the same bucket hat. Veteran big-leaguer Rob Refsnyder did not go along with Duran and wore the proper hat for batting practice.

I approached Gedman later and asked what he thought of the situation, but he downplayed it, protected the player and said everyone was joking around. I knew what I had witnessed and it bothered me for a long time.

At the time, Duran was one of the most consistent players for the WooSox.

“He’s steady,” WooSox manager Chad Tracy said at the time. “He’s been a rock for us. He’s in the lineup every day. It’s very apparent how dangerous he is on the path baths. ... He’s that gifted as a base runner and he can fly. He’s just impactful on the game. He’s been rock steady for us all year and he’s a heck of a player.”

In general, Tracy described Duran as a fiery guy.

“Highly fiery,” the manager said. “He’s intense when the game’s going on, but he’s also one of the best we have seeking out information from our coaches.”

The manager explained that Duran stands next to the coaching staff during at-bats and ask questions.

“He actively seeks out information and is a very coachable player,” Tracy said. “He may give you a ‘Yeah, all right,” but then you see him do it. He listens. In that regard, he’s a pretty mature player, and from what I understand, he’s even matured greatly even since last year. That’s coming along rather nicely.”

The manager also acknowledged that there are some things Duran can learn.

“There are things when you go to the major leagues that they’re going to ask you to do and there’s no give-or-take. You’ve got to be able to do it, no questions asked. I will tell you in my two months managing this team I have not had a single problem with [Duran] as far as listening, and trying things, and actively seeking out information.”

Duran has big-league ability. If he can figure out the rest of it, maybe he’ll have a decent career. But there are too many examples across the minor league landscape of potential prospects who land in the world of oblivion. Tracy believes the complete opposite for Duran’s future. “He’s special,” Tracy said.

By all accounts, it appears Duran proved me wrong. I’m happy for him that he matured on and off the field because fans deserve to enjoy his talents in the big leagues.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Jarren Duran has come a long way from minor-league prospect to Red Sox star. Here's my take: