A well-deserved honor for Marte
The decision is not a huge surprise, with Ketel Marte having topped the voting in Phase 1 at second-base in the National League. That qualified him to go head-to-head with the other top vote-getter, the Dodgers’ Tommy Edman (and there’s a good case that Edman shouldn’t have even made it into Phase 2). Well, we’ve all made more difficult decision than that…
Marte was, in fact, the biggest vote-getter of any National League player in Phase 2. It will be his third selection to the game, following up his appearances in 2019 and 2024. That ties him with pitchers Zack Greinke and Brandon Webb, with the ones ahead of him being Luis Gonzalez and Randy Johnson (five apiece) and Paul Goldschmidt (six selections). We’ll have to wait and see whether any other players from Arizona make it onto the eventual roster as player/coach selections. Eugenio Suarez and Corbin Carroll are potential candidates, though the health of the latter may be an issue – so even if selected, he may or may not be able to take part.
The full starting line-up for the National League is as follows:
- First baseman: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
- Second baseman: Ketel Marte, D-backs
- Shortstop: Francisco Lindor, Mets
- Third baseman: Manny Machado, Padres
- Catcher: Will Smith, Dodgers
- Outfielder: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
- Outfielder: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs
- Outfielder: Kyle Tucker, Cubs
- Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
What do you reckon? Any obvious snubs? Undeserving selections?