Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte confident he’s getting through offensive struggles

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star Ketel Marte has been in a funk at the plate for much of September, but he believes he’s found some answers.

Friday was his best individual performance of the month, as he finished a triple shy of the cycle in an 8-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.

He nearly homered twice, clobbering a ball high off the center field wall at Chase Field for a double. With a projected distance of 421 feet, Chase Field is the only ballpark in MLB in which it would not leave the yard, per Statcast.

That was also his hardest hit ball in nearly two weeks at 108.8 mph.

Ketel Marte goes up and blasts a tater into the stands 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1Q2XHUyOLA

— MLB (@MLB) September 20, 2025

After the game, Marte explained that he’s been watching tape from 2024 to find a solution to his slow September (.169/.231/.322 entering Friday).

“I’m feeling great,” Marte said. “Trying to make adjustments at home plate. I was just working a little bit on my hands and then I figured out what was going on.”

Marte said he adjusted something to do with his hands, which helped him lift off. He did not go further into detail, claiming he did not want pitchers to figure it out.

“I killed it in (batting practice),” Marte said when implementing the changes. “I hope I can continue to do good. I know my team needs me. That’s the kind of player I am, the Ketel Marte you saw today.”

Marte is tied with Corbin Carroll for seventh in MLB this season with an OPS of .883, and he is up to 26 home runs.

Manager Torey Lovullo has described lately others who have been carrying the load offensively while he figures out what’s been holding him back, whether it was the foot contusion he suffered last week or whatever mechanical issues he’s working through.

Marte recorded multiple hits in two of the last three games, but a bouncing single and hustle double are different than absolutely crushing two baseballs.

The Diamondbacks are in a dire spot three games out from a playoff spot with eight contests left. They could really use Marte getting hot and taking over games like he’s capable of doing, and Friday was a positive development in that regard.

“You’re looking for a catalyst,” Lovullo said. “We have a couple on our team. He’s always been one, so if he joins the other few guys that have really been carrying the workload, that’s what we’re looking for. So hopefully that’ll be the start of something for a Ketel.”

The D-backs need Ketel Marte to step up in this final stretch of the regular season and manager Torey Lovullo shares his thoughts on @BurnsAndGambo on what can help make that happen.

The Torey Lovullo Show is presented by Estrella Jalisco. pic.twitter.com/KMhITvWwIX

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) September 19, 2025

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