The Diamondbacks always have said they viewed Ketel Marte as a player capable of excelling at multiple defensive positions, but so far Marte has struggled at the primary position, center field, where he has been stationed this season.
Marte ranks near the bottom among major league center fielders in multiple defensive metrics, including defensive runs saved and ultimate zone rating. Marte hasn’t looked great to the eye, either, appearing to take the occasional ill-advised route.
“It’s not necessarily closing in on the ball or moving full speed, it’s the first moves to the baseball, the angles to the baseball,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said.