The average MLB fan might not even know who Texas Rangers second baseman Ezequiel Duran is.

In fact, coming into the season, Duran wasn’t even on many Rangers fans' radars as someone who would be a key contributor.

After the Rangers traded Marcus Semien to the New York Mets, it was assumed by most that Josh Smith would finally get his everyday playing time at one position.

Smith did just that, coming out of Spring Training, starting the season as the Rangers' everyday second baseman.

However, following early-season struggles and injuries, the Rangers needed someone to step in for both Smith and shortstop Corey Seager.

Enter Duran.

Based on both 2024 and 2025, it would have been fair to wonder exactly what the Rangers would get from Duran.

In 182 games over the last two seasons, Duran hit just .237 with a .278 on-base percentage, a .309 slugging percentage, three home runs, and 34 RBIs.

Through 58 games in 2026, Duran has already blown those numbers a very long way out of the water.

Duran enters play on Wednesday with a .293 batting average, a .345 on-base percentage, a .457 slugging percentage, four home runs, and 35 RBI.

When the 2026 MLB All-Star ballot came out on June 3rd, Duran was listed as the Rangers representative at second base, and when you stack him up with the competition, it’s not hard to make his case.

Duran’s .802 OPS is the highest amongst any AL second baseman on the ballot. His .293 batting average is second behind Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Taking a step back and reviewing advanced metrics will show that Duran has just as strong a case as anyone.

With a 1.9 mark, Duran leads all American League second basemen in WAR. Duran’s .351 weighted on-base average also leads all AL second basemen, just ahead of Clement, who is second at .344.

Duran’s 370 batting average on balls in play, or BABIP, is also first amongst American League second basemen by quite the margin, with the next closest being Chase Meidroth of the surprise Chicago White Sox at .345.

Whether or not Duran makes the All-Star team will certainly be an interesting case to follow. Clement will have an entire country behind him as Blue Jays players do when it comes to All-Star voting.

However, despite Duran’s lack of name value, there’s no doubt he is having the type of season that should help either the fans or his peers put him into his first career All-Star game.

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