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To the baseball world, Jarren Duran is not only an all-star center fielder for the Boston Red Sox but also an all-star game MVP.
To his alma mater of Cypress High, he’s a success story who illustrates the importance of remaining patient during the recruiting process.
“His example could open eyes,” said Centurions coach John Weber, who coached Duran, 27, at Cypress.
Long before he belted the go-ahead home run in the Midsummer Classic last week, Duran was a lightly-recruited senior at Cypress. He was known as a speedy second baseman who was selected to the Orange County all-star game in 2015.
But entering his senior year, Duran didn’t have a scholarship offer, Weber recalled.
Duran later received interest from Washington State and Kansas State but canceled both recruiting trips, the coach said. Long Beach State was the first and only school to offer Duran, who after strong encouragement from Weber signed with the Dirtbags.
More hurdles would surface for Duran before his breakthrough this season. His high school recruiting story stuck with Weber after he watched Duran lead the American League to the victory in the major league all-star game.
“JD is a such great example of patience,” Weber said, “especially at a time when kids feel like they have to have scholarships by the time they’re sophomores in high school and that they have to start on the varsity team as a freshman at their high school or they will transfer and panic.”
“(Duran) was a late bloomer, especially physically until his senior year,” the coach added. “He has worked and worked and worked on and off the field. You can see how much time he spends in the weight room.”
Duran became only the fifth Boston player to win all-star game MVP. He leads the majors this season in triples (12) and plate appearances (495).
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