Here are five Red Sox making their All-Star case

This story was excerpted from Ian Browne’s Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

BOSTON -- Though the Red Sox won’t have any starters voted in by the fans for the upcoming All-Star Game, manager Alex Cora’s squad has several players worthy of making the trip to Texas for the Midsummer Classic festivities.

Reserves for the American League and the National League will be revealed as part of the All-Star Selection Show on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Here is a list of Boston’s top five All-Star candidates in order of most deserving:

OF Jarren Duran
All-Star appearances: None
Stats: .288/.350/.491, 57 runs, 99 hits, 23 doubles, 10 triples, nine homers, 20 stolen bases

The left-handed-hitting leadoff man has easily been the best all-around player on the Red Sox this season. Duran has started 83 games and isn’t expected to be out of the lineup any time soon.

Duran’s combination of bat control, power, speed and defense is hard to find.

“We know the great player that Jarren is, the athlete that he is,” said Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers. “When he gets on base, it puts pressure on the opposition and the pitcher as well. Now that he’s swinging the bat the way he is, it’s even more fun to watch him play. I hope he makes it to the All-Star Game.”

RHP Tanner Houck
All-Star appearances: None
Stats: 7-6, 2.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 107 2/3 innings, 91 hits, 19 walks, 105 K’s

The righty went from bubble candidate to make the rotation in Spring Training to staff ace in what seemed like the blink of an eye. With the exception of Houck’s most recent start, when the Padres touched him up for nine hits and seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings, he has competed at a high level in all of his outings. While Houck leads with his filthy slider, his improved splitter and control have been largely responsible for his breakout.

3B Rafael Devers
All-Star appearances: 2021, ‘22
Stats: .286/.368/.571, 16 doubles, three triples, 18 homers, 45 RBIs

It is easy to take Devers for granted because he puts up numbers every year. But he shouldn’t be penalized for his consistency. Last year, Devers was an All-Star snub. He looks poised to make up for it this year, as he’s in the midst of one of his best grooves of the season.

C Connor Wong
All-Star appearances: None
Stats: .327/.385/.471, seven homers, 30 RBIs

At a position in which offense is always at a premium, Wong has taken his hitting to another level this season. Wong is 26 plate appearances shy of being eligible to qualify for the batting title, otherwise he would lead the Majors in batting average. As always, Wong is doing a solid job behind the plate.

RHP Kenley Jansen
All-Star appearances: 2016, ’17, ’18, ‘23
Stats: 2.22 ERA, 16/17 in save opportunities, 1.02 WHIP

While Jansen’s workload has been somewhat sporadic at times this season due to his team not creating enough save opportunities, the big righty continues to do his job. Jansen struggled to find his control early in the season, but he’s been locked in of late. Last season, he was Boston’s only All-Star. If the 36-year-old makes it back this year, he’d like to have company.