INF Gavin Duran (Harvest Christian, 2024) has shown well in front of our staff throughout his prep career, but this spring is really when he started to stand out. He continued to show well deep into the summer, landing himself and invite to the Illinois State Games, where he popped as a name-to-know leaving the event. Listed at 5-foot-7, 175-pounds with a compact build and some strength throughout, its easy to become a fan after watching him play the game. The left-handed hitter is a tough out, consistently battling deep into counts to pair with quality bat-to-ball skills and athletic hands. He's routinely on the barrel in front of our staff with an explosive bat through the zone, creating exit velocities up to 97 mph with better than average bat-speed (71 mph avg.), rotational acceleration (17.8 g avg.) and on-plane efficiency (78.1 avg.). He's a sure-handed defender that can likely stick on the infield moving forward, but his motor and scrappy playstyle is what really makes him a fun prospect to watch.

We recently had the chance to talk to Duran about his recruitment process, what led him to commit to John Wood, and more.

Our Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Gavin: I was looking for a program that would bring me opportunity. I was also looking for the chance to play and get as many innings as I could.  

P: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision? 

G: Not necessarily, I wanted a place in the median of close and far.  

P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

G: Junior year spring season. They watched me play in the summer and reached out over text. 

P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision? 

G: I love the coaches and the conference. It brings many opportunities to me and the coaches can help me get to the next level.   

P: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level? 

G: After my freshman high school season.

P: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are? 

G: Stay focused and don’t stop working.  

P: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point? 

G: Playing in the LLWS and hitting for the cycle in the regional finals last year.

P: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be? 

G: I feel great about our team this year. We’ve all been working super hard and are excited to start, we have high expectations.  

P: How did the Future Games and/or the Illinois State Games affect your recruitment process? Did you receive more attention following the event(s)? 

G: The State Games brought many opportunities and great competition. I received a lot more attention at the event.   

P: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program? 

G: INF Carson Trivellini (Crystal Lake South, 2027) and INF Kyle Ziebell (Harvest Christian, 2026).

P: Did Prep Baseball assist in your recruiting? Whether it be through a showcase, tournament coverage, tweets, etc?  

G: Yes, they gave me a lot of exposure and helped me get my name out there. They also helped me get an idea of how recruiting works. 

Related Content