Ketel Marte has been the unsung hero for the Arizona Diamondbacks this season. If there is someone who should win the NL MVP award over Shohei Ohtani, it should be him. The often-overlooked All-Star second baseman has arguably been the best all-around player this year. He’s having a stellar year both offensively and defensively and has been the catalyst for Arizona’s second-half surge. Ketel Marte should win the National League MVP award this season.
Marte’s Play Is a Big Reason Why Arizona Is Back in the Hunt
Embed from Getty ImagesThe road hasn’t been easy for the snakes this season. Corbin Carroll has underperformed and Christian Walker has been hurt. However, despite the struggles of those three guys, it has been Ketel Marte who’s led Arizona’s attack. This season, Marte is slashing .299/.370/.563 with 30 homers, 81 RBI, and a .932 OPS. These numbers are the highest for anybody who plays defense in the National League. His success this season is a big reason why the Diamondbacks are back in the postseason hunt.
Ketel Marte Has a Lot of Value Defensively While Ohtani Has None
Ketel Marte has been playing Gold Glove-level defense at second base to go along with his hitting prowess. He has saved +11 runs at second base. This is a close second to Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang who’s saved +14 runs this season. Marte has also only committed four errors this season and registered a fielding percentage of .991.
Shohei Ohtani has been having a great season offensively. He currently leads the National League in homers, runs, slugging percentage, and OPS. However, he’s been the designated hitter for the Dodgers all season. Ohtani has not thrown a pitch this season or made a play in the field. His past success as a pitcher isn’t relevant to deciding who is the MVP this season.
The Dodgers Would Still Be Playoff Team Without Shohei Ohtani
Embed from Getty ImagesIf the Dodgers didn’t have Shohei Ohtani, they’d still be a playoff team. Aside from Ohtani, the Dodgers still have Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, and Will Smith. Mookie Betts and Max Muncy are also great bats around him when they are healthy. This season, Ohtani has a WAR of 5.9 as calculated by baseball reference. The Dodgers’ total team WAR is 32.6 and Ohtani makes up 18 percent of it.
Ketel Marte Is a Big Difference Maker in Arizona
Embed from Getty ImagesKetel Marte has been showing how much of a difference maker for the Diamondbacks this season. With Corbin Carroll struggling and Christian Walker being hurt, it has been Marte who’s had to be the main leader of the Diamondbacks attack. He has a WAR of 6.2 as calculated by baseball reference. The Diamondbacks’ total team WAR is 29.8 and Marte makes up approximately 21 percent of it. Marte gives the Diamondbacks way more value than Ohtani does for the Dodgers.
Ketel Marte Has Been Better in the Clutch
The 30 year old second baseman has also had similar or better statistics compared to Shohei Ohtani in the clutch. In high-leverage situations, Ohtani is slashing .317/.408/.488 and has an OPS of .896 in 49 plate appearances this season. He also has one home run and 12 RBI in those situations. Marte is slashing .343/.405/.486 with an OPS of .890 in 42 plate appearances. He also has had a homer and 12 RBI as well. Marte still edges the Japanese star in high-leverage situations due to the better batting average.
Marte Deserves the Award Over Ohtani
Embed from Getty ImagesKetel Marte has been carrying the Diamondbacks on both offense and defense. Shohei Ohtani has only provided value on offense for the Dodgers since he’s just been the designated hitter all year. Ohtani also hasn’t had to carry the Dodgers. Marte has also been a better hitter in high-leverage situations as well. Marte has provided much more value to the Diamondbacks than Ohtani has given to Los Angeles. The 30-year-old second baseman is a big reason why the Diamondbacks have been able to get back into playoff contention. Arizona also isn’t far behind the Dodgers for first place in the NL West. With everything Marte has done for the Arizona Diamondbacks this season, he should be the 2024 NL MVP. Anything short of Ketel Marte winning the award is blasphemy.
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