MLB Players Power Rankings: Top 10 Hitters in Week-23
By Manny Gómez
MLB Players Power Rankings (1): Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks
Week-23 Stats: 1.208 SLG | 0.704 wOBA | 344 wRC+ | 0.9 fWAR
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Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks continue to shock the baseball world this season. The D’Backs are in the playoff hunt despite trading away their best pitcher in Zack Greinke at the trade deadline and perhaps the best player in franchise history Paul Goldschmidt prior to the 2019 season.
It was widely thought that the D’Backs were in the midst of a rebuild this season. However, they have clawed their way into contention since the All-Star break and have refused to go away.
Much of this is due in part to the magical season Ketel Marte is having. Many will take credit away from his production because of the juiced ball, but you don’t get talked about in the same breath as players like Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger, and Anthony Rendon for nothing.
This season, Marte has inserted himself in the NL MVP conversation by slashing an incredible .330 / .390 / .599. His 32 home runs already exceed the number of home runs he hit in his previous four seasons (22) combined.
Not only that but after accomplishing his dream of being selected for the All-Star game this season, he could help his team achieve another dream: winning the World Series. Sure, the odds are against Marte and Diamondbacks’ favor.
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However, prior to this season, all of us would never have thought that Marte would emerge as one of baseball’s best players. So, the lesson should be to never say never. It’ll be interesting to see what Marte and the Diamondbacks do to finish out the season.