Duran was second in the majors with 23 defensive runs saved, was in the 95th percentile in fielding run value (Baseball Savant) and led all outfielders with 12 assists.

“I feel like my expectations were really high, but he exceeded them,” Red Sox outfield coach Kyle Hudson said during the season. “And he’ll continue to do that just because he goes out there and prepares.”

When the Sox traded Alex Verdugo, a Gold Glove finalist in right field, last year before this season, questions arose about the gap at the position — particularly at Fenway, where right field's unique dimensions make it the most difficult to find your way around baseball.

But the Sox were extremely confident that Abreu could handle the position, and he delivered, leading all right fielders with 18 DRS.

“I’m trying to play the way I can in the outfield,” Abreu said through a translator at the end of the season. I know (Mookie Betts) and (Verdugo), they played very good right field here, one of the most difficult right fields in the major leagues. So it’s an honor for me to be in conversation with them.”

Julian McWilliams can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @byJulianMack.