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While Red Sox’ Caleb Durbin has struggled offensively, one area has been ‘exceptional’
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- While Red Sox’ Caleb Durbin has struggled offensively, one area has been ‘exceptional’
BOSTON — Third baseman Caleb Durbin 's struggles offensively are well documented. He and teammate Trevor Story are tied for the fourth worst OPS (.514) among qualified major league hitters.
But he has provided value for the Red Sox on the defensive side.
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"Despite some of the stuff he's gone through offensively — and it's starting to improve, we're getting much better at-bats since about day two in Detroit — he has been exceptional at third base," interim manager Chad Tracy said. "And that part matters, too."
Durbin ranks in the 94th percentile in outs above average (3) and the 85th percentile in fielding run value (2) among MLB third basemen.
"The play made Friday with Chappie (closer Aroldis Chapman ) leading off the ninth, like that play is one out instead of a double down the line," Tracy said. "He's been very, very good."
He's second among all third basemen in defensive runs saved with six, behind only five-time Gold Glove winner Matt Chapman , who has seven. Durbin had five defensive runs saved at third base for the Brewers last year as a rookie.
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"He's been awesome," Tracy said. "I know he was good last year, not to this extent. I know he's worked really hard at it."
Since that second game in Detroit on May 6, Durbin has four hits in 15 at-bats. Tracy said Durbin's point of contact has been better.
"Contact point, at least from my vantage point from the dugout, like catching the ball out front," Tracy said. "Got some balls airborne, but catching the ball out front and driving it as opposed to some of the contact was a little deep, ball's getting on him a little bit. We were seeing a little bit more weak contact. So I've seen an increase in hard contact and a little bit different in the contact point. I know he's working hard at it with the hitting guys. He knows it. But I'm seeing a better quality, for sure."
Offensively, Durbin has done a good job at not chasing pitches, limiting strikeouts (13.9% strikeouts) and squaring up balls, although it hasn't resulted in hard contact. He has a 29.5% hard hit percentage, ranking in the 10th percentile.
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Boston acquired Durbin from Miluwakee on Feb. 9 . The Sox sent lefty starting pitchers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan along with utility infielder Dave Hamilton to the Brewers. The six-player deal also included the Sox receiving utility players Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler as well as a Compensation Round B draft pick.
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