Marte garners All-MLB First Team honor at second base
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When he was left off the National League All-Star team in 2023, Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte was upset. Arizona legend Luis Gonzalez pulled Marte aside.
¡°I basically just told him, ¡®You know that it happens,¡¯¡± Gonzalez said of the All-Star snub. ¡°I mean, unfortunately only so many guys are allowed to go. I told him if he stayed on track, he would have a chance to shine and be on the big stage with the team.¡±
Marte did just that as the Diamondbacks made a surprise run to the World Series and he garnered national attention for being named MVP of the NL Championship Series.
That carried over into 2024, when Marte not only made the All-Star team, but was also voted to be the starter. And it continued on Thursday night, when Marte was named to the All-MLB First Team presented by MGM Rewards.
Marte, who is also a finalist for the NL MVP Award, followed up his outstanding 2023 postseason with a dominant ¡¯24 regular season -- both offensively and defensively. Marte won his first Silver Slugger Award, and he was a Gold Glove finalist as his defense improved for the second consecutive season.
¡°Just like always, I continue to work,¡± Marte said via translator Alex Arpiza this past spring. ¡°I don't like to just stand pat and be stagnant. ¡ If I hit 25 homers one year, I want to hit 35 the next. This year, I just want to continue to get better.¡±
Marte ranked among the 2024 NL leaders in the following categories: OPS (second, .932), slugging (second, .560), offensive win percentage (second, .729), at-bats per home run (second, 14.0), offensive bWAR (third, 5.8), bWAR (fourth, 6.8), home runs (fourth, 36), batting average (sixth, .292), OBP (sixth, .372), win probability added (seventh, 3.3), total bases (tied for eighth, 282) and RBIs (10th, 95).
¡°His skill set is pretty rare in the game,¡± D-backs general manager Mike Hazen said. ¡°I mean, being a switch-hitter who¡¯s proficient at both sides, plays in the middle of the diamond, like you just don't run across players like that all that often. It's gratifying to see that he's getting some of the recognition that he's deserved for a while.¡±
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The All-MLB First Team and Second Team were announced in Las Vegas as part of the All-MLB Awards Show presented by MGM Rewards. The second annual All-MLB Weekend presented by MGM Rewards began with an awards show on MLB Network to recognize the top performances by players during the regular season.
Fans accounted for 50% of the voting for the All-MLB Team, with a panel of experts handling the other 50%. Fans and panelists voted for their choices at catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, three outfielders (without regard for left/center/right) and designated hitter, along with five starting pitchers and two relief pitchers for both the First Team and Second Team. All choices were based on the 2024 regular season, without regard for American League or National League affiliation.