When it comes to the MLB Network’s “The Shredder”, it makes fans have debates on who the Top 10 Players in a position are going into each season. On January 27, the most recent Top 10 focused on the left fielders, and it sparked a massive debate. Regarding the Boston Red Sox, not only did they have two players make the Top 10, but they went first and second.
Did “The Shredder” get it right?
Red Sox Go 1-2 for Top 10 Left Fielders in MLB
GettyBoston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran
In the recent Top 10 players to play left field, the Red Sox had Jarren Duran go No. 1 and Roman Anthony No. 2. Regarding the Red Sox, that makes things interesting, especially with Duran being in a ton of trade rumors this offseason. Maybe even the last two years in retrospect.
When it comes to Duran, the 2025 season saw him have a 4.7 wins above replacement (WAR) after hitting .256 with 16 home runs, 84 RBIs, an American League-leading 13 triples, and 41 doubles. He finished with a slashline of .332/.442/.774 and an OPS+ of 114. While that is a tad lower than his 8.7 WAR season in 2024, along with an MLB-leading 48 doubles and 14 triples.
If fans look back at his All-Star MVP season and 2025, Duran had a 13.3 WAR in 317 games played. If you add 197 runs, 350 hits, 89 doubles, 27 triples, 37 home runs, 159 RBIs, 58 stolen bases, and a .271 average. His slashline over those two years is .337/.468/.805 with an OPS+ of 124. When it comes to his productivity, it makes sense to see him in the Top 10 for left fielders. Is it shocking he’s No. 1? Not entirely, but he is considered a better center fielder than left fielder, so maybe the fan vote is more accurate than “The Shredder”.
Roman Anthony Getting More Limelight
GettyBoston Red Sox young star Roman Anthony
Regarding Anthony, he was recently on MLB Network’s Top 100 Players Now countdown, where they placed 21-year-old outfielder 41st. When it comes to the Red Sox, he is considered more the 1A compared to Duran being the 1B. Either way, both players are what the teams need in 2026.
During the 2025 season, Anthony had a .292 average, with eight home runs, 32 RBIs, 18 doubles, one triple, 40 walks, and was 3.1 wins above replacement (WAR). It’s something to consider when seeing Anthony being a 3.1 WAR player in only 71 games played for the Red Sox, following a call-up in June. Moreover, he even finished with a 140 OPS+. His slash line for the 71 games came out to a .396/.463/.859.
If his 71 games were extrapolated over a 162-game schedule, Anthony would have been a 7.2 WAR player. With how much the baseball world looks at Anthony already, it makes sense to see “The Shredder” slot him in the No. 2 spot, while the fans voted him to be No.4, where Duran came in at No. 10. While his sample size is only 71 games, the potential is through the roof as he is already slated to be the starting left fielder come Opening Day for the Red Sox.
Overall, there will always be debate on where “The Shredder” places players when it comes to the Top 10 for any position in baseball. Especially with fans not seeing their guys being placed there. Regarding the Red Sox, they have two solid players in the Top 10, no matter where they are ranked. The main thing is keeping both guys for 2026 and making it work in some way.
Red Sox Claim 2 Spots in The Shredder’s Top 10 Left Fielders List