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'A very special moment': Ketel Marte on being named an All-Star again

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Michael McDermott | Last updated Jul 3, 2024 9:33 PM ET

Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte was named an All-Star for the 2024 season. He’ll be the National League’s starter for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, which will be played at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on July 16. It will be the second time in his career that he represents the Diamondbacks amongst baseball’s best stars.

Afterward, he spoke to the media with Team Interpreter Alex Arpiza translating. Arizona Sports posted the video on X.

“It’s a very special moment especially the last couple of seasons I have been dealing with different injuries, the hamstring. It hasn’t been easy. Since last year I’ve been feeling very good.”

A special moment for Ketel Marte, as he makes his second career All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/F2EuTSbHYt

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) July 4, 2024

Marte will be in his first All-Star game since the 2019 season, when he was also the NL’s starter at second base. Hamstring injuries derailed his 2021 and 2022 seasons, requiring multiple stints on the injured list each season. He bounced back in 2023, playing in 150 games for the first time since the 2018 season, helping the Diamondbacks reach the World Series. He was named the National League Championship Series’ Most Valuable Player after Arizona defeated Philadelphia in seven games.

“Since last season, I’ve felt a lot of support. Not just the people from Phoenix, but people back home, my home country.”

He picked up right where he left off in 2024. Through his first 82 games of the season, Marte is batting .287 with 17 home runs, 50 RBI, 57 runs scored, and an .871 OPS. He leads all National League second basemen in many offensive categories, including hits (92), home runs (17), RBI (50), runs scored (57), and OPS (.871).

His defense has also taken a massive step forward in 2024. Marte ranks first amongst all major league second basemen in defensive runs saved with +11 and third in outs above average at +9. His total contributions add up to 4.4 bWAR/3.7 fWAR, making him one of the top candidates for the National League Most Valuable Player Award. His 4.4 bWAR is the second highest total amongst all NL players, trailing the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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