The Boston Red Sox have wrapped up the first half and have shocked many as they currently sit in a playoff spot holding the third and final wild card spot, they also currently trail the Baltimore Orioles by 4.5 games for first place in the American League East. This comes after everyone expected another last-place finish in the division. So who are the standouts from the first half for the Red Sox and is worthy of taking home some first-half hardware?
MVP: OF – Jarren Duran
Duran has been a pleasant surprise this season and was gifted his first All-Star game selection. He has played in all 95 games this season hitting .284 with a .820 OPS; he has 27 doubles, ten triples, ten home runs, 41 RBI, 62 runs scored, 22 stolen bases, and 34 walks. He is fourth on the team in batting average, fifth in OPS, first in doubles, first in triples, fourth in home runs, third in RBI, tied for first in runs scored, second in walks, and second in stolen bases. Across all of the MLB, he is tied for third in doubles, first in triples, tied for 13th in runs scored, and tied for seventh in stolen bases.
Cy Young: RHP – Tanner Houck
Houck was a pitcher not expected to make the rotation to start the 2024 season but an injury to Lucas Giolito put him in a spot and he’s run with it also earning his first All-Star game selection this season. In 19 starts he is 8-6 with a 2.54 ERA, a 2.67 FIP, a 1.03 WHIP, and 112 strikeouts in 117 innings. He is second on the team in wins, he is first in starters ERA, first in WHIP, and first in strikeouts. Across all of baseball, he is fifth in ERA, seventh in FIP, tied for tenth in WHIP, tied for 23rd in strikeouts, and tenth in innings pitched.
Rookie: OF/INF – Ceddanne Rafaela
Rafaela has taken a step forward in 2024 and has been a key for the Red Sox defensively being able to slide into shortstop after the Trevor Story injury and he provides Gold Glove defense at shortstop and centerfield. In 93 games he’s hitting .246 with a .692 OPS; he has 16 doubles, four triples, 11 home runs, 52 RBI, 45 runs scored, 11 stolen bases, and 11 walks. He is tenth on the team in batting average, 12th in OPS, fourth in doubles, tied for second in triples, third in home runs, second in RBI, fourth in runs scored, and third in stolen bases. Among all rookies, he is ranked 15th in batting average, 12th in OPS, fourth in doubles, tied for second in triples, fourth in home runs, first in RBI, third in runs scored, and tied for fourth in stolen bases.
Prospect: SS – Marcelo Mayer – Portland Sea Dogs
Mayer is expected to be promoted to Triple-A at some point this summer but in 71 games in Double-A Portland hitting .301 with a .837 OPS; he has 26 doubles, seven home runs, 36 RBI, 55 runs scored, 29 walks, and 13 stolen bases. He is first in batting average for the Eastern League, seventh in OPS, first in doubles, first in runs scored, and tied for 17th in stolen bases.
