Story by: Angel Martinez, Sports Editor
Photo Courtesy Coach John Weber, Cypress High School Baseball Coach
As Mexico celebrates Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran’s breakout World Baseball Classic, his hometown of Cypress has been cheering him on every step of the way. He hit three home runs in the tournament, including two against Team USA.
Jarren Duran, who hit two home runs for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic against the USA, electrified his fan base during the tournament with timely hits and stolen bases. He also became Mexico’s all-time stolen base leader in World Baseball Classic history.
Amid the excitement, the city where Duran grew up continues to show its support.
“JD was always a scrawny little guy who could run fast,” said John Weber, head coach at Cypress High School. “He was always a good kid and always a hard worker.”
Duran is now considered a hometown hero in Cypress, though his development did not fully take off until his late teens.
“Jarren was a late bloomer; he had no scholarship offers going into senior year,” Weber said. “He started building confidence, working out with Dom Fletcher a lot”
When asked if he believed Duran would reach this level, Weber said he had doubts.
“No, I didn’t think he would reach that level — not when he left Cypress,” Weber said.
Weber said the key to Duran’s success has always been mental toughness.
Early in his career, Duran has been open about his struggles with mental health and the pressures of professional baseball. In the Netflix docuseries The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox he said there were times he “didn’t even want to be here anymore.”
Weber said many young athletes deal with self-doubt, especially in demanding environments like his program. At Cypress High School, he added, the focus is not only on physical development but also on the mental side of the game — something Duran eventually learned to handle.
Weber said his favorite memory of Duran is “watching him be successful in the big leagues.”
Duran overcame those struggles and became an MLB All Star in 2024. He was a standout for Team Mexico in the 2026 WBC and remains a key player for the Boston Red Sox going into the 2026 season.
Earlier this year, Duran and the Red Sox launched a mental health initiative at Cypress High School. Duran opened up to students about his journey with mental health and shared ways to cope and stay mentally strong.
For those in Cypress, Duran’s impact goes beyond the field, offering a powerful example to the next generation that resilience, growth and self-belief can shape both a career and life.
