The Arizona Diamondbacks set an exorbitantly high price when they shopped Ketel Marte this offseason. That price was at least a controllable starter to headline a superstar return. Ultimately, no team was willing to match that price, and Marte remains a Diamondback in 2026 and beyond.
Based on the latest rankings, general manager Mike Hazen was more than justified. MLB Network released its rankings for the top second basemen in baseball. Standing in the No. 1 spot was Marte.
It marks the fourth such season where the Diamondbacks’ star infielder was named the top player at his position. Marte was one of three Arizona hitters ranked highly on their Top 100 Players List, coming in at No. 19.
Why Ketel Marte is the Top Second Baseman in MLB
Marte has simply outproduced everyone else at his position by a healthy margin. Since the start of the 2023 season, he has carried a .283/.368/.519 slash with 87 home runs and 15.3 fWAR. His 140 wRC+ laps the field, the second-highest being Astros‘ Jose Altuve at 128, and ranks ninth among all qualified MLB hitters.
Marte brings a rare combination of power, patience, and contact ability. While a hamstring injury sidelined him for four weeks, he was still an impact bat at the top of Arizona’s lineup. He hit .283 with 28 home runs, a 11.5% walk rate, and a .893 OPS.
The underlying metrics on Statcast support that Marte was an elite hitter in 2025. He ranked in the 72nd percentile in chase rate (24.7%) and 63rd percentile whiff rate per swing (22.5%). His quality of contact was also excellent, producing a 47.0% hard-hit rate (73rd percentile) and a 13.5% barrel rate (83rd percentile).
When looking at his expected metrics, Marte produced a .285 xBA, .534 xSLG, and .390 xwOBA. Those ranked in the 94th percentile or better.
Not only is Marte the one elite bat at his position, but he also plays solid defense. While he’s on the wrong side of 30, he was still a positive defender in 2025. He accumulated +1 Defensive Runs Saved and +1 Outs Above Average.
Ketel Marte’s Long-Term Outlook in Arizona
The 2026 season will likely be Marte’s last as the game’s premier second baseman. He, along with shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and right fielder Corbin Carroll, compose a very daunting top third of the lineup. All three hitters produced at least a 138 wRC+ in 2025, with excellent underlying metrics supporting it.
With Marte expected to play a major role in the Diamondbacks’ lineup, his 10-and-5 rights kick in. That means he can no longer be traded without his approval.
However, the Diamondbacks would have to be extremely motivated to move on from one of their best players. Marte is extended through the 2030 season, plus a club option for 2031. His contract is very team-friendly, as he counts only for $15.641 million on their Competitive Balance Tax payroll for the next five seasons.
His time at second base will become increasingly limited. Part of that will be due to age, the other to make room for their best second base prospects. The Diamondbacks have three prospects who rank in MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 at the position. Tommy Troy, the highest-ranked of the three, should have first crack at some point during the 2026 season.
Once Troy establishes himself in Arizona, Marte will transition to a full-time designated hitter role. That was something the Diamondbacks anticipated when they inked him to a six-year extension in April.
Diamondbacks All-Star Named MLB’s Top Second Baseman for 2026