Ezequiel Duran

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #4 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The Yankees signed Duran for $10,000 in 2017 and were intrigued by the offensive potential he showed in the first few years of his professional career. He was part of the package Texas received in exchange for Joey Gallo and Joely Rodriguez from the Yankees, and immediately joined the Rangers’ glut of middle infield talent.
  
  Scouting Report: Duran’s offense is his calling card, especially his big-time power potential. His 90.8 mph average exit velocity was among the best in the organization, as was his maximum exit velocity of 112 mph. Before the trade, Duran worked hard to improve his contact rates against breaking balls, and the results followed. His ability to hit those pitches improved, as did the confidence he showed when he took them for balls. He now projects to be at least an average hitter and could reach plus power. Defensively, Duran can stand at shortstop, but he’s more likely a third baseman. His hands are fine, but his range and internal clock are somewhat limited. He has plenty of arm strength for the position, but his throwing accuracy will need to be addressed.
  
  The Future: Duran will need to add versatility to his game after the additions of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. He played second, third and shortstop in the Arizona Fall League and has the upside of an offensive-minded infielder at any spot.
  
• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #11 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Clerical issues meant that Duran had to wait a little later than most to turn professional, but he eventually signed "for just $10,000" and immediately proved worth the investment. The best example of what Duran can do came in July 2019, when he hit .333/.392/.630 with six homers for short-season Staten Island. He ranked No. 7 in the New York-Penn League's Top 20.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Evaluators both inside and outside the organization are intrigued by Duran's abilities. Scouts see a player with hit and power tools that range from average to plus, and bat speed and exit velocities that rank among the best of the system's middle infield prospects. He's made strides in pitch recognition and swing decisions, which should unlock more of his potential. On defense he shows aboveaverage speed, average range and a plus arm that could allow him to fill in at shortstop if needed.
  
  THE FUTURE: Duran participated in the Yankees' instructional league in the Dominican Republic in December and will start 2021 at a Class A level. He has the ceiling of an everyday second baseman with offensive impact.
• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #24 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Duran could have signed earlier than he did but wasn't registered with Major League Baseball, so he had to wait until those issues were cleared up. He eventually inked with the Yankees for $10,000 and immediately raked in the Dominican Summer League. He stalled somewhat in 2018 at Rookie-level Pulaski but broke out in 2019 at short-season Staten Island. He was particularly explosive in July, when he hit .333/.392/.630 with seven doubles and seven homers in 26 games.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Duran has quick hands, above-average bat speed and power to all fields. That last trait showed up in spades in 2019, when his 13 home runs were distributed fairly neatly to all fields. He's got the hands, feet and arm to play second base and could fill in at shortstop in a pinch as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: Duran has the potential to be an offensive-minded middle infielder. He should get his first full-season test in 2020.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked New York-Penn League #7 prospect in 2019
  After a tough 2018 campaign with Rookie-level Pulaski, Duran had a breakout season in the NYPL. His power potential started to show in games, and he ended up leading the NYPL in homers with 13. Duran was also among the league’s top 10 in slugging (.496), OPS (.824) and RBIs (37). While his approach at the plate needs work, Duran’s ability to drive the ball has impressed scouts and managers alike. He has worked to use the whole field and makes loud contact when he connects. According to sources, his average exit velocity was 91.9 mph, which would rank him in the top 20 among major league hitters. Duran is sturdy and strong, but it shouldn’t hinder him from sticking up the middle. His fielding is such that he can be penciled in at shortstop from time to time—though he didn’t play short for Staten Island—but he fits better at second base with a solid arm. Duran’s plus bat speed, growing power and sheer athletic ability should help him to have success when he moves to full-season ball in 2020.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Midseason Update: There&#39s little doubt that Duran has the tools to be an impact player at the plate. He&#39s done a better job managing the strike zone and has tremendous power potential. He showed both of those traits in a quick cameo in the big leagues earlier this season. Now, where will he play in the field? Duran is a middle infielder by trade, but the Rangers committed $500 million to Corey Seager and Marcus Semien in the offseason, so Duran went back to Triple-A to add more versatility to his defensive game. He saw time at third base in both the big leagues and at Triple-A and has begun dabbling in center field as well. Track Record: The Yankees signed Duran for $10,000 in 2017 and were intrigued by the offensive potential he showed in the first few years of his professional career. He was part of the package Texas received in exchange for Joey Gallo and Joely Rodriguez from the Yankees, and immediately joined the Rangers&#39 glut of middle infield talent.
  
  Scouting Report: Duran&#39s offense is his calling card, especially his big-time power potential. His 90.8 mph average exit velocity was among the best in the organization, as was his maximum of 112 mph. Before the trade, Duran had worked hard to improve his contact rates against breaking balls, and opposing scouts saw the results. His ability to hit those pitches improved, as did the confidence he showed when he took them for balls. Defensively, Duran can hack it at shortstop, but he&#39s more likely a third baseman. His hands are fine, but his range and internal clock are somewhat limited. He has plenty of arm strength for the position, but his throwing accuracy will need to be addressed.
  
  The Future: Like all of the Rangers&#39 young, talented infielders, Duran will need to add versatility to his game after the additions of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. He played second, third and shortstop in the Arizona Fall League and has the upside of an offensive-minded infielder at any spot.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The Yankees signed Duran for $10,000 in 2017 and were intrigued by the offensive potential he showed in the first few years of his professional career. He was part of the package Texas received in exchange for Joey Gallo and Joely Rodriguez from the Yankees, and immediately joined the Rangers’ glut of middle infield talent.
  
  Scouting Report: Duran’s offense is his calling card, especially his big-time power potential. His 90.8 mph average exit velocity was among the best in the organization, as was his maximum exit velocity of 112 mph. Before the trade, Duran worked hard to improve his contact rates against breaking balls, and the results followed. His ability to hit those pitches improved, as did the confidence he showed when he took them for balls. He now projects to be at least an average hitter and could reach plus power. Defensively, Duran can stand at shortstop, but he’s more likely a third baseman. His hands are fine, but his range and internal clock are somewhat limited. He has plenty of arm strength for the position, but his throwing accuracy will need to be addressed.
  
  The Future: Duran will need to add versatility to his game after the additions of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. He played second, third and shortstop in the Arizona Fall League and has the upside of an offensive-minded infielder at any spot.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Clerical issues meant that Duran had to wait a little later than most to turn professional, but he eventually signed "for just $10,000" and immediately proved worth the investment. The best example of what Duran can do came in July 2019, when he hit .333/.392/.630 with six homers for short-season Staten Island. He ranked No. 7 in the New York-Penn League's Top 20.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Evaluators both inside and outside the organization are intrigued by Duran's abilities. Scouts see a player with hit and power tools that range from average to plus, and bat speed and exit velocities that rank among the best of the system's middle infield prospects. He's made strides in pitch recognition and swing decisions, which should unlock more of his potential. On defense he shows aboveaverage speed, average range and a plus arm that could allow him to fill in at shortstop if needed.
  
  THE FUTURE: Duran participated in the Yankees' instructional league in the Dominican Republic in December and will start 2021 at a Class A level. He has the ceiling of an everyday second baseman with offensive impact.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Clerical issues meant that Duran had to wait a little later than most to turn professional, but he eventually signed "for just $10,000" and immediately proved worth the investment. The best example of what Duran can do came in July 2019, when he hit .333/.392/.630 with six homers for short-season Staten Island. He ranked No. 7 in the New York-Penn League's Top 20.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Evaluators both inside and outside the organization are intrigued by Duran's abilities. Scouts see a player with hit and power tools that range from average to plus, and bat speed and exit velocities that rank among the best of the system's middle infield prospects. He's made strides in pitch recognition and swing decisions, which should unlock more of his potential. On defense he shows aboveaverage speed, average range and a plus arm that could allow him to fill in at shortstop if needed.
  
  THE FUTURE: Duran participated in the Yankees' instructional league in the Dominican Republic in December and will start 2021 at a Class A level. He has the ceiling of an everyday second baseman with offensive impact.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Clerical issues meant that Duran had to wait a little later than most to turn professional, but he eventually signed "for just $10,000" and immediately proved worth the investment. The best example of what Duran can do came in July 2019, when he hit .333/.392/.630 with six homers for short-season Staten Island. He ranked No. 7 in the New York-Penn League's Top 20.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Evaluators both inside and outside the organization are intrigued by Duran's abilities. Scouts see a player with hit and power tools that range from average to plus, and bat speed and exit velocities that rank among the best of the system's middle infield prospects. He's made strides in pitch recognition and swing decisions, which should unlock more of his potential. On defense he shows aboveaverage speed, average range and a plus arm that could allow him to fill in at shortstop if needed.
  
  THE FUTURE: Duran participated in the Yankees' instructional league in the Dominican Republic in December and will start 2021 at a Class A level. He has the ceiling of an everyday second baseman with offensive impact.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Duran could have signed earlier than he did but wasn’t registered with Major League Baseball, so he had to wait until those issues were cleared up. He eventually inked with the Yankees for $10,000 and immediately raked in the Dominican Summer League. He stalled somewhat in 2018 at Rookie-level Pulaski but broke out in 2019 at short-season Staten Island. He was particularly explosive in July, when he hit .333/.392/.630 with seven doubles and seven homers in 26 games.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Duran has quick hands, above-average bat speed and power to all fields. That last trait showed up in spades in 2019, when his 13 home runs were distributed fairly neatly to all fields. He’s got the hands, feet and arm to play second base and could fill in at shortstop in a pinch as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: Duran has the potential to be an offensive-minded middle infielder. He should get his first full-season test in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Duran could have signed earlier than he did but wasn't registered with Major League Baseball, so he had to wait until those issues were cleared up. He eventually inked with the Yankees for $10,000 and immediately raked in the Dominican Summer League. He stalled somewhat in 2018 at Rookie-level Pulaski but broke out in 2019 at short-season Staten Island. He was particularly explosive in July, when he hit .333/.392/.630 with seven doubles and seven homers in 26 games.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Duran has quick hands, above-average bat speed and power to all fields. That last trait showed up in spades in 2019, when his 13 home runs were distributed fairly neatly to all fields. He's got the hands, feet and arm to play second base and could fill in at shortstop in a pinch as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: Duran has the potential to be an offensive-minded middle infielder. He should get his first full-season test in 2020.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  After a tough 2018 campaign with Rookie-level Pulaski, Duran had a breakout season in the NYPL. His power potential started to show in games, and he ended up leading the NYPL in homers with 13. Duran was also among the league’s top 10 in slugging (.496), OPS (.824) and RBIs (37). While his approach at the plate needs work, Duran’s ability to drive the ball has impressed scouts and managers alike. He has worked to use the whole field and makes loud contact when he connects. According to sources, his average exit velocity was 91.9 mph, which would rank him in the top 20 among major league hitters. Duran is sturdy and strong, but it shouldn’t hinder him from sticking up the middle. His fielding is such that he can be penciled in at shortstop from time to time—though he didn’t play short for Staten Island—but he fits better at second base with a solid arm. Duran’s plus bat speed, growing power and sheer athletic ability should help him to have success when he moves to full-season ball in 2020.