The prestigious Hank Aaron Award started in 1999 after the 25th Anniversary of Hank Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record. Yearly ten nominees are elected and they were announced Monday, winners are chosen based on votes from a panel of Hall of Famers and baseball fans. Boston Red Sox fan-favorite Red Sox Center Fielder Jarren Duran was nominated for his outstanding offensive play this season.

Boston’s Own Nominated For The ‘Hammerin’ Hank’ Award

Each year the best overall offensive performer in each league is awarded the Hank Aaron Award. Aaron’s MLB batting records aren’t something to scoff at, with 12,364 times at bat and 2,174 runs scored he is tied with Babe Ruth for fourth all-time. Aaron’s career home run record was 755, later broken by Barry Bonds in 2007. With 2,297 RBI and 1,477 extra-base hits, Hank Aaron finished his career with a .305 batting average.

Out of ten players nominated for this award, Jarren Duran is the one Red Sox who played the most remarkable offense this year. With 48 doubles and 14 triples, the most in the American League, Jarren Duran is the Boston Red Sox Center Fielder and one of the best offensive players in the MLB this year. Duran recorded 34 stolen bases and 21 home runs ranking him third in franchise history to have a 20-30 season.

He racked up 48 doubles and 14 triples, both of which were the most in the AL. Add in his 21 home runs, and Duran finished with 83 extra-base hits, which is the fourth-best in MLB. He also recorded 34 stolen bases, making him the third player in franchise history to register a 20-30 season for the Boston Red Sox, Durran is behind Jacoby Ellsbury and Mookie Betts.

Red Sox Star Also Won Ted Williams Award

After winning the MLB All-Star MVP this year award, Jarren Duran spoke about winning the Ted Williams award as a Red Sox, “That’s an honor, who else would I try to fall in the footsteps of besides a guy like that, he was a great baseball player and great human being.”  During the press conference, Duran was humble and proud of the legacy of the Boston Red Sox clubhouse.

Becoming the fifth Boston Red Sox player to ever win the award, Lorenzo Delgado from OurEsquina reported what Duran had to say about his family after his All-Star performance,  “I mean, it’s kind of hard to put into words. But honestly, I couldn’t stop thinking about my family and being able to go see them after the game. But I’m just thankful that I was able to do that and help the AL team win.” As fans are a part of voting, you can vote for your favorite MLB nominee HERE.

Boston Red Sox Nominee Duran May Win

There is some steep competition, with ten other AL nominees like Yordan Alvarez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. being nominated. Including New York Yankees Center Fielder Aaron Judge only time will tell who takes home the Hank Aaron Award this season.

With such prestige, the last time a Boston Red Sox player took home the Hank Aaron Award was in 2016 when David Ortiz took home the crown. Kevin Youkilis before that in 2008, Ortiz again in 2005, and Manny Ramirez in 2004. Since its start in 1999 only four Red Sox have won, will Jarren Duran be the fifth?