Ketel Marte named finalist for Silver Slugger, Diamondbacks nominated for team award

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte was named a finalist for a Silver Slugger award, which honors the best offensive player at each position in each league.

He is up against fellow National League second basemen Luis Garcia Jr. of the Washington Nationals and Jonathan India of the Cincinnati Reds.

The D-backs, meanwhile, were named one of two Offensive Team of the Year Silver Slugger finalists for the NL along with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. 

The winners will be announced on Nov. 12.

Marte looks like a lock to win his first career Silver Slugger, adding another accolade to his All-Star campaign that will also likely include a First Team All-MLB selection on Nov. 14.

Among 44 second basemen with at least 300 plate appearances, Marte was the only player with an OPS above .800. And he was not even close to .800 at .932, which ranked seventh among all qualified players in MLB.

Marte led the position group with 36 home runs and 95 RBIs despite ankle problems costing him games in August and September.

The switch-hitter played himself into NL MVP debates before his initial ankle injury on Aug. 10 against the Philadelphia Phillies. From June 2 to Aug. 10, Marte slashed .342/.427/.673, leading the NL with a 1.100 OPS and 52 RBIs.

Marte was also a finalist for the Gold Glove at second base, but Milwaukee’s Brice Turang won the hardware.

Diamondbacks in play for team Silver Slugger

For the team-wide award, the Diamondbacks in 2024 led MLB with 886 runs (5.47 per game).

The Dodgers and D-backs were neck-and-neck in team OPS, as L.A. edged out Arizona .781 to .777. The Dodgers also narrowly beat the Diamondbacks in total bases 2,465 to 2,430.

Arizona was the only team in MLB with five players hitting 20 home runs: Marte, Corbin Carroll, Joc Pederson, Eugenio Suarez and Christian Walker.

Via OPS+, which compares players on a scale where 100 is league average, the Diamondbacks had 10 players with an OPS+ above 100, the most of any team in MLB (200 plate appearances minimum). The Dodgers had nine.

NL Silver Slugger finalists

Here are the finalists for the 2024 National League Silver Slugger Awards.

Winners will be announced Nov. 12. pic.twitter.com/W9EkEoe1k4

— MLB (@MLB) November 4, 2024

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