Nick Duron

Duron was born in Salinas, California. He attended Everett Alvarez High School in Salinas and Tigard High School ('14) in Tigard, Oregon.^[1] He then attended Clark College in Vancouver, Washington, for whom he was 2–1 with a 3.75 earned-run average, and struck out 40 batters in 36 innings.^[1]

He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 31st round of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft.^[2] In 2015, he pitched for the GCL Red Sox in the Gulf Coast League, and was 2–1 with two saves and a 1.71 ERA in 26.1 innings in which he struck out 28 batters.^[2] He missed the 2016 season, after undergoing Tommy John surgery to repair an ulnar collateral ligament injury.^[3]

In 2017, Duron spent the season with the Low-A Lowell Spinners, pitching to a 3-5 record and 3.35 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 53.2 innings of work across 13 appearances (12 starts). The next year, he split the season between the rookie-level GCL Red Sox and the Single-A Greenville Drive, posting a cumulative 0-6 record and 7.53 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 28.2 innings pitched in 10 games (6 starts). On March 28, 2019, Duron was released by the Red Sox organization.^[4]

On April 29, 2019, Duron signed with the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League.^[5] In 10 games, he recorded a 2-0 record and 1.35 ERA with 18 strikeouts and 2 saves in 13.1 innings pitched.

On June 7, 2019, Duron signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners organization.^[6] He finished the year appearing in 25 games for the High-A Modesto Nuts, logging a 3-1 record and 2.23 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 36+1⁄3 innings pitched.

Duron did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.^[7] He split 2021 between the Double-A Arkansas Travelers and the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.^[2] He was a combined 4–2 with four saves and a 4.50 ERA in 38 relief appearances covering 42 innings in which he struck out 43 batters.^[2] He became a free agent following the season on November 7, 2021.^[8]

On January 9, 2022, Duron signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization.^[9] In 2022, pitching for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Duron worked to a 4–7 record with seven saves and a 2.77 ERA in 52 relief appearances covering 48.2 innings in which he struck out 63 batters (11.7 strikeouts/9 innings), and induced a 50.4% ground-ball percentage.^[2][10] He was named a 2022 MiLB Organization All Star.^[11]

On July 12, 2022, Duron was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.^[12] He made his major league debut on July 13. His fastball averaged 97.2 mph during his MLB appearance.^[10] He elected free agency on November 10.^[13]

On December 15, 2022, Duron signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants organization.^[14] He began the 2023 season with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, where he posted a 1-1 record and 2.25 ERA with 9 strikeouts in 8.0 innings pitched across 6 appearances.

On April 21, 2023, Duron was traded to the San Diego Padres in exchange for cash considerations.^[15] Despite strong results in Sacramento, Duron struggled to a 12.91 ERA with 8 strikeouts in 7+2⁄3 innings across 8 games for the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas. He was released by the Padres organization on June 9.^[16]

On July 18, 2023, Duron signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.^[17] In 23 games for the Barnstormers, he posted a 2.01 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 2 saves in 22+1⁄3 innings pitched. With Lancaster, Duron won the Atlantic League championship.^[18] He became a free agent following the 2023 season.

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