At the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline, the Texas Rangers sent star outfielder Joey Gallo to the New York Yankees for a package of prospects that included Josh Smith, Glenn Otto, Trevor Hauver, and a young Dominican infield prospect named Ezequiel Duran.

After spending the rest of the 2021 season in the minors, Duran got his MLB call-up in 2022 and appeared in 58 games. This was even as the Rangers made offseason moves for star middle infielders Marcus Semien and Corey Seager.

As Texas won its first World Series title in 2023, Duran didn’t touch the field a single time during the postseason run, but his contributions to the team were vital.

In late July, Seager went down with a right thumb sprain, and it was Duran who was tasked with filling in at shortstop as the Rangers were in the midst of their first winning season in six years.

Not only did Duran fill the role until Seager got back, but he did so at an extremely high level. In 122 games in 2023, he hit .276 with 14 home runs and 46 RBI.

As the 2024 title defense season began, there was a strong opportunity for Duran to build on the solid year he just had.

However, in 92 games, Duran’s batting average dropped back down to .246 and finished with just 46 RBI despite 14 home runs.

As Duran struggled at the plate, it was Smith who made the most of the opportunity as he earned a Silver Slugger award at the utility position.

Entering the 2025 season, although there are a few changes to the roster, the starting position players were set. The Rangers committed to making Smith their super-utility man, leaving Duran on the outside looking in.

In the opportunities Duran did get, he put up the worst numbers of his career, hitting just .224 without a home run and just 14 RBI in 90 games.

As the 2026 season began and with Semien traded to the New York Mets, Texas started the year with Smith as their primary second baseman, continuing what felt like a years-long battle of questions about where Duran would fit in the organization.

When the season kicked off and the Rangers experienced their fair share of injuries and underperformance, it was Duran who often got the call thanks to his versatility. That earned him the nickname “The Solution.”

Sometimes, nicknames don’t really fit a person, but as Texas learned throughout the year, Duran’s fit perfectly.

First-year manager Skip Schumaker used Duran in various roles throughout the season; in fact, the only positions he didn’t appear at were pitcher and catcher.

Duran’s defense never wavered despite moving all across the diamond and quite frequently playing multiple positions in one game, which often included moves from the infield to the outfield or vise versa in the same game.

For his efforts, Duran was rewarded with the American League’s Gold Glove Award at the utility position. With the win, he became the first Ranger to be awarded a Gold Glove at the utility spot.

It wasn’t just on defense that Duran came through with a career year. At the plate, he hit .260 with 17 home runs and 83 RBI.

At season’s end, Duran was named the Rangers' Team MVP less than a year after many questioned his fit within the organization.

Looking ahead to 2027, there’s no doubt that Duran will be a big piece of the puzzle for a Texas team that looks to reach the postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 2023.

If the Rangers make it back to the promised land, Duran will be a huge part of it. This time, it seems almost certain to actually be on the field when the confetti falls.