Red Sox Predicted to Replace Jarren Duran With Power Bat After Trade Rumors

23-06-2025

Red Sox Predicted to Replace Jarren Duran With Power Bat After Trade Rumors originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Trade rumors have been flying about Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran. They have only ramped up since Rafael Devers was dealt to the San Francisco Giant, as the organization now appears to be heading towards a youth movement at the MLB Trade Deadline.
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According to MLB.com's Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo, the Red Sox may have their replacement for Duran waiting in the draft at the 15th overall spot.
That player? Auburn University's Ike Irish.
Irish is a powerful left-handed bat who has proven ability at the plate against top-tier collegiate pitching in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He stands 6'2", weighing 201 lbs. The junior out of Hudsonville, Michigan is the highest projected outfielder and catcher among both high school and collegiate prospects in Mayo and Callis' mock draft.
"Boston can stick Irish in the outfield and let his athleticism and bat play," Callis and Mayo wrote.
Auburn Tigers' Ike Irish (18) celebrates after hitting a double against the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils during the NCAA Regional Baseball Tournament at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala., on Friday May 30, 2025.Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
With 24 doubles in his freshman year, 14 home runs in his sophomore season and then 19 home runs in his junior campaign, Irish has the power and an approach at the plate that should translate well to the professional level.
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His career batting average is .350, with a .435 on-base percentage. In 2024 he slugged a monster .710, with progression towards that number after each of his first two seasons.
MLB.com currently has Irish ranked as the 21st overall prospect in the draft, but once the College World Series concludes the rankings could be updated. The Red Sox could use a more polished bat out of the draft, and the college prospect could fill a need at a corner outfield position.
The 2025 MLB Draft is being held on July 13 and 14.
Related: Former Red Sox Star Xander Bogaerts Faces Backlash Amid Struggles
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.

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Johnny, Matthew Gaudreau's widows discuss grief, foundation in emotional interview

Yahoo

27 minutes ago

Yahoo

Johnny, Matthew Gaudreau's widows discuss grief, foundation in emotional interview

The widows of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau used the occasion of what would have been Johnny's 32nd birthday to formally launch a foundation to honor the late hockey players. But most of the interview with Meredith, Johnny's wife, and Madeline on ABC's "Good Morning America" dealt with the grief they have experienced in the nearly one year since their husbands died on Aug. 29, 2024. The brothers were hit by a suspected drunk driver while they were bicycling in New Jersey. Sean Higgins has pleaded not guilty to charges in the case. "Half of me, the best part of me, died that day, too," Meredith said. "I'm trying to be double now for my kids, even though I'm half of who I was." Both women were expecting at the time of their husbands' deaths. Madeline gave birth to her first child, Tripp, and Meredith her third, Carter. "Tripp's now hitting milestones, so that's heartbreaking because Matt was super excited to be a dad," Madeline said. The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, first announced in March, will help youth hockey initiatives, support hockey families that have faced tragedy and help other families that have been affected by drunk driving. "It was never lost on John and Matty about how expensive it is to maintain hockey as a hobby," Meredith said. The brothers played at Boston College. Older brother Johnny became a seven-time All-Star with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets. Matthew played in the American Hockey League and ECHL and retired to coach youth hockey. The hockey community has kept the players' names in the forefront. USA Hockey had Johnny Gaudreau's jersey in the locker rooms at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Columbus fans sang "Happy Birthday" to Johnny Gaudreau Jr. at a game in February. The Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings honored the brothers with their outfits as they walked into their Stadium Series game. Meredith announced Blue Jackets first-round selections at the 2025 NHL Draft. "My daughter (Noa) is catching on," Meredith told ABC. "She's 2 and she asks for him a lot. She says, 'Daddy's in heaven' and I'm starting to explain to her what heaven is really because she wants to go to heaven and she says, 'I want him to come back' or 'let's call him.'" Madeline said she has been writing notes to Matthew since a couple days after the accident. "Lately it's been like, oh, you know, 'Tripp has two teeth now, but I know you know this.' Because it's hard for me to write and think that Matt isn't seeing this," she said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gaudreau brothers' widows discuss grief, foundation launch