Ketel Marte's steady presence bolsters Diamondbacks' hopes
During a challenging season for the Arizona Diamondbacks, one player's resurgence is providing hope.
Ketel Marte, the team's versatile second baseman and shortstop, is building off his stellar 2023 postseason performance while quietly assembling an MVP-type season. The resurgence is not only pivotal for Marte's career, but also critical for a team grappling with inconsistency and injuries.
Entering Wednesday's games, Marte leads the National League in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at 3.9, fueled by a major league-best 1.4 defensive WAR. His impressive stats underscore a season that echoes a 2019 performance in which he earned his only All-Star appearance and finished fourth in the MVP voting.
Back then, Marte was a 25-year-old rising star; now, he's a seasoned leader shouldering a heavy load.
Last season, Marte played a crucial role in the Diamondbacks' unexpected run to the NL pennant, participating in over 144 regular-season games for the first time since 2019 and posting a .844 OPS, his best since the .909 OPS in his standout 2019 season.
This season, he has been indispensable for Arizona, particularly as the team struggles with injuries and underperformance among key players.
"He's so incredibly talented," Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald said of Marte, per MLB.com. "When he's on, he's on like nobody in the league."
While stars Zac Gallen, Druw Jones, Corbin Carroll and Jordan Montgomery have faced setbacks, Marte has remained a consistent performer. His ability to play at shortstop while Geraldo Perdomo recovered from a meniscus tear in his right knee further highlights his importance.
Without Marte's steady contributions, the Diamondbacks' playoff hopes would be significantly dimmer.
Currently 32-35, the Diamondbacks are on the cusp of a crucial stretch. The upcoming week and the rest of June offer a prime opportunity for the team to get back to or even surpass the .500 mark. With four of the six opponents and 12 of their 18 games through June 30 against teams well under .500, Arizona has a favorable schedule. Twelve of these games will be at home, adding another layer of advantage.
The Diamondbacks must capitalize on these matchups.
Failing to dominate weaklings such as the Angels, White Sox and Athletics could spell disaster. Taking care of business against inferior opponents is critical, especially considering their July schedule gets more daunting, which could influence their strategy leading up to the MLB trade deadline on July 30. The next six weeks are set to determine the Diamondbacks' trajectory.
Through it all, Marte remains an anchor. His consistency and leadership provide a foundation for the reigning NL champs as they navigate the challenges ahead. While many factors will influence the Diamondbacks' fate, Marte's individual resurgence symbolizes the team's enduring hope and resilience in a season filled with uncertainties.
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