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Red Sox Year in Review 2026: Looking Back at Caleb Durbin's Season
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- Red Sox Year in Review 2026: Looking Back at Caleb Durbin's Season
Red Sox Year in Review 2026: Looking Back at Caleb Durbin's Season originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Both the Brewers and Red Sox wound up finding some immediate value in the deal they struck last offseason.
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Milwaukee landed Kyle Harrison and David Hamilton, two players who helped lead the franchise to its first World Series title. Boston, meanwhile, added a draft pick and three players, including Caleb Durbin.
Durbin became one of the most valuable Red Sox in 2026, stepping into an everyday role to provide some stability in the infield.
Here's a look back at Durbin's rock-solid year for Boston in 2026.
Red Sox Year in Review 2026: Caleb Durbin
Durbin landed with the Red Sox as one of six players involved in last offseason's deal with the Brewers. Originally drafted by the Braves, but traded to the Yankees and Brewers organizations while in the minor leagues, Durbin made his MLB debut in 2025 and appeared in 136 games, putting together a solid year with 11 home runs, 53 RBIs and 18 stolen bases.
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When he landed with the Red Sox, Durbin was eventually slotted in as the starting third baseman, and he turned in a terrific defensive season.
Durbin won a Gold Glove, one of three Red Sox players to do so and just the second player to win a Gold Glove for Boston at third base. He finished tied for the AL lead at third base in runs prevented (five) while finishing second in outs above average (six).
On top of his defensive contributions, Durbin's presence was key amid injuries to Roman Anthony, Curtis Mead and Mickey Gasper. Over 153 games, Durbin did a bit of everything.
He also played through some injury issues himself — Durbin suffered a partial dislocation of his pinkie finger during a headfirst slide in June, but he didn't go on the IL, hitting a home run the next day. After the season ended, Durbin also underwent an operation to repair a fracture in his right foot, per MLB.com.
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Despite being banged up most of the year, Durbin was one of Boston's most valuable players in 2026.
Caleb Durbin's Most Memorable Moment
On Aug. 4, Durbin hit the first grand slam of his MLB career, part of a dominant 14-2 win for the Red Sox over the White Sox. Two weeks later, he did it again.
On Aug. 13 against the Blue Jays, Durbin hit his second grand slam of the month in a 7-0 Red Sox win.
Caleb Durbin's Stats for 2026 Season
| Games |
Hits |
Runs |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBIs |
BB |
SO |
SB |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
OPS |
WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 153 |
126 |
74 |
25 |
1 |
13 |
64 |
51 |
79 |
20 |
.248 |
.332 |
.378 |
.710 |
4.4 |
For the most part, Durbin's value to the 2026 Red Sox came from his glove at third base. According to ESPN, Durbin's defensive WAR of 1.8 was tied for 11th among all players this season.
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He did add 13 home runs, 64 RBIs and 20 stolen bases, though, one of Boston's most available and versatile players.
Heading into 2027, Durbin is established as an all-around contributor for the Red Sox, one of baseball's best infield defenders.
