10 things to know about Texas Rangers’ Ezequiel Duran, including his versatility

Ezequiel Duran has had a tumultuous time with the Texas Rangers, but is still of great value to the team due to his defensive versatility.

Duran’s talent was never in question as he was a top-ranked prospect when he launched Texas. As he looks to find a consistent role with the Rangers, he will need to turn things around in the 2025 season.

Here are 10 things you should know about Ezequiel Duran.

1. The basics

Name: Ezequiel Alberto Duran

Born: May 22, 1999

Hometown: San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic

Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 185 pounds

Position: 3B, SS, 2B, OF

2. Outsmart the Yankees

Duran was acquired by the Rangers from the New York Yankees at the 2021 trade deadline. Clear sellers in a 100-loss season, the Rangers had a key player to sell to contenders this season: All-Star outfielder Joey Gallo. The Rangers sent New York Gallo, pitcher Joely Rodriguez and cash considerations, while the Yankees sent Duran, Josh Smith, Trevor Hauver and pitcher Glen Otto.

Duran debuted the next season and was a key figure for the Rangers at times. Combine that with the fact that Josh Smith was almost an All-Star in 2024 and Gallo’s time in New York went very poorly, and it’s clear that the Rangers won the trade.

3. I’m going to be a father soon

In March 2024, Duran and his partner announced that they were expecting their first child.

In the headline of the announcement, he referred to the child as a “prince”, so it sounds like he is a boy! Future father strength for Ezequiel Duran!

4. A surprising view

Before the 2022 season The Dallas Morning News ranked Duran as the No. 7 prospect in the team’s farm system.

His development as a prospect is shocking considering how cheaply the Yankees signed him as an international free agent. New York signed him as an 18-year-old for just $10,000 after he failed to submit the paperwork required to sign the previous year.

As mentioned above, he made his major league debut in 2022 due to his impressive offensive numbers in the minor leagues.

5. Unsung hero of the 2023 World Series season

Corey Seager, who finished second in MVP voting, missed about six weeks at the start of the 2023 season with a hamstring injury.

In his absence, Duran took on the role of the Rangers’ starting shortstop and thrived. He posted a .301 batting average with seven homers and 23 RBI in his first 40 games, and Duran, filling in heavily for Seager, helped Texas to a 19-13 record while Seager was out.

The Rangers barely made it to the playoffs before eventually winning the World Series. Without Duran’s contributions early in the season while Seager was on the roster, it’s fair to question whether Texas will even make the playoffs.

In the 2023 season, he slashed .276/.324/.443/.768 with 14 home runs.

6. Owes his success to his mother

On Mother’s Day in 2023, he said that if it weren’t for his mother, he would quit baseball.

“I told my mom I didn’t want to play ball anymore,” he said. “I told her if I turned 18 and didn’t manage to get signed, I would give up baseball and start studying.”

His mother, Ramona, conveyed her message to her son. “What God has for you, no one will take away from you. Don’t give up,” she said from the Dominican Republic.

That summer, Duran signed with the Yankees.

Read the full story here.

7. Super utility

His primary position as a junior was third base and shortstop, but the Rangers are well-positioned with Josh Jung at third base and Corey Seager and Marcus Semien in both middle infield spots.

To fit with the Rangers, he had to show a lot of versatility and play all over the field so Bruce Bochy could get his bat into the lineup at times.

Are you ready to see all the positions he played for the Rangers? Take a deep breath.

He appeared at third base, left field, center field, right field, first base, second base, shortstop and as a designated hitter. Duran has spent the most time (101 games and 839 innings) at third base and the least time in center field, which was just a one-inning stint.

Despite a below-average offensive performance in 2024, his defensive value remains very strong. Given his defensive versatility, Bruce Bochy once called him “a manager’s dream.”

8. A difficult 2024

Duran had a very tough 2024 season for the Rangers.

In 92 games, he slashed .246/.288/.321/.609 with just three home runs, a steep decline from his 2023 numbers. Things became so difficult that he was sent back to Triple-A Round Rock to regain his confidence.

He hit five home runs and an .857 OPS in 19 games at Triple-A Round Rock before being recalled to Texas.

9. A prankster

Rangers midfielder Leody Taveras once called Duran a big joker.

“Ezequiel is a happy guy who is always smiling and making a lot of jokes,” Taveras said in an interview in Spanish.

“He’s very funny and sometimes he follows me around,” he continued, laughing. “He always tries to joke with me because I always bother him. We get along very well.”

Bochy said he also noticed the good atmosphere Durán created in the clubhouse.

“Ezequiel is always smiling. “He loves his teammates and is loved and appreciated by his teammates,” Bochy said.

Read the full story here.

10. Potential as a Spanish teacher

Enjoy this video of Duran teaching his Rangers teammates some Spanish that the Rangers shared during 2024 Spring Training.

He could be a decent Spanish teacher!

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