One Rangers candidate for second base job is dominating the Dominican Winter League

It seems Ezequiel Duran is pumped up about the opportunity that the Marcus Semien trade provided and is giving the Texas Rangers coaching staff an early preview of what could come if he was their full-time second baseman next year.

After a poor past two seasons with Texas, the 26-year-old Dominican infielder is ready to start playing like he knows he can. Putting in work during the Dominican Republic Winter League (DOWL), Duran is showcasing the power and success Texas fans saw during his 2023 campaign.

Duran making his case for 2B job known with Dominican Winter League success

In 31 games this winter for the Aguilas Cibaenas, Duran is slashing .357/.420/.504 with two home runs, 21 RBIs, seven stolen bases, 18 strikeouts, 12 walks and a .924 OPS.

A stark contrast to his numbers with Texas in 2025, which saw him hit over 100 points lower, slug nearly 200 less and compile an OPS almost 400 points higher. To add extra pain, Duran has already recorded seven more RBIs and homered two more times in the DOWL than he did in 90 games with the Rangers.

Arriving in Texas in 2021 as one part of the four player return from the New York Yankees in exchange for Joey Gallo, Duran just finished his fourth season in Major League Baseball which has been more of less an underperformance, while at the same time a tenure limited in opportunities.

Thanks to the Rangers dealing Semien to the New York Mets earlier this offseason, it could be a prime moment for Duran to showcase why he feels that his right for the everyday first base job.

He will have a tough hill to climb, his numbers in opportunities over the last couple of seasons don't provide him a lot of grace while his fiercest internal opponent and fellow trade partner, Josh Smith, is seen as the team's frontrunner.