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Player Profile: Ketel Marte, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks

Marte played a big part in the Diamondbacks success in getting to the postseason. Can he replicate that success in 2018, or will he be just another player off the bench?

MLB: NLDS-Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Stats

Year Team PA AVG OBP SLG HR SB BB% K% GB/FB Hard%
Year Team PA AVG OBP SLG HR SB BB% K% GB/FB Hard%
2015 Mariners 247 0.283 0.351 402 2 8 9.7% 17.4% 2.00 22.8%
2016 Mariners 466 0.259 0.287 0.323 1 11 3.9% 18.0% 1.99 21.5%
2017 Diamondbacks 255 0.260 0.345 0.395 5 3 11.4% 14.5% 1.32 28.2%

Marte came over last off season in a trade that saw Jean Segura and Mitch Haniger move to the Seattle Mariners. He started the season in the minor leagues, and was just an after thought in a trade that saw the Diamondbacks get another quality starter. That after thought however played a big role in the Diamondbacks making to the postseason.

Marte doesn’t have much power at all, but he does have a good amount of speed. This is evident by his Sprint Speed of 28.9 ft/sec, which ranked first among all of his qualified teammates. Now before we start projecting him to steal 20-30 bags, let us remember that he has only stolen a total of 22 bases in the past 3 years. A 15-20 season is plausible for the Diamondbacks’ shortstop, but be wary as it seems he doesn’t take many chances on the base paths.

Marte had been known to hit for a decent batting average, but his 11.4 walk rate from last season is what really jumped out to me. Now I do not expect that walk rate to stay in double digits in 2018, but am eight or nine percent walk rate does seem very plausible. Add that with a .270 batting average and the chance to hit at the top of an already productive lineup, and you should have a lot of runs coming your way.