Ketel Marte Finishes Third in NL MVP Voting

Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks finished third in the National League MVP voting for 2024, behind unanimous winner Shohei Ohtani and Francisco Lindor. Marte's outstanding season included a .292 batting average, 36 home runs, 95 RBIs, and a .932 OPS, while also earning accolades such as the NL Second Base Silver Slugger Award and a spot on the All-MLB first team. His performance triggered an incentive clause in his contract, increasing his 2025 salary from $16 million to $19 million. Meanwhile, San Diego Padres rookie Jackson Merrill, who finished ninth in MVP voting, lost the Rookie of the Year award to Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes but outperformed him in MVP points. Skenes, despite not being a top contender in MVP voting, had an impressive season as a pitcher, finishing third in the NL Cy Young race. Marte's achievements highlight his value to the Diamondbacks, and he continues to be recognized as a key player in the league.