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Outlook Ezequiel Duran
Ezequiel Duran's multi-positional eligibility and hot bat make him a strong fantasy asset.
Ezequiel Duran has been scorching hot for the second-place Rangers (33-34), batting .333 over his last 14 days and earning Rangers Player of the Month honors for May. Despite a brief bout of illness in late May, Duran has solidified his everyday role as the primary shortstop on the depth chart. His strong performance has seen his fantasy ownership surge to over 64% as he continues to provide consistent contact.
While Duran's current .297 season average is a massive step forward from his career .247 mark, his .352 on-base percentage suggests some regression may lie ahead. Our models projected a .241 average with moderate power, meaning his current run-producing pace (36 RBIs in 59 games) is likely to slow down. However, his locked-in starting role and multi-position versatility keep his rest-of-season floor relatively high.
With the week already underway, the Rangers face a challenging slate of remaining matchups on the road. Duran will match up against Michael Wacha of the Royals tonight before heading to Boston to face Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez, and Connelly Early, all of whom sport ERAs under 3.50. Despite the tough pitching matchups, Duran's hot hand and daily playing time make him a viable middle-infield option. Verdict: Start.
Updated 1 day ago
