D-backs hope 'Marte Party' extends to All-Star Game

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PHOENIX -- The D-backs are throwing what they’re calling a “Marte Party” this weekend at Chase Field for what they hope will provide a boost to Ketel Marte’s chances of starting in next month’s All-Star Game.

Marte and San Diego’s Luis Arraez are the two National League finalists at second base from Phase 1 of the All-Star fan voting. Beginning Sunday, fans will choose between the two to start the Midsummer Classic, which will be held July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington.

Marte’s push for the All-Star Game actually began last year when he was left off the team. The snub hurt him, and he used it as motivation the rest of the regular season and during the D-backs' surprising run to the World Series.

Under the October lights, he elevated his game to another level and was rewarded by being named Most Valuable Player of the NLCS, in which the D-backs beat the Phillies in seven games.

Marte reported to Spring Training ready to go and has been the D-backs' best player on a nightly basis, according to general manager Mike Hazen.

“I think he's been very motivated on a different level from the first day of Spring Training,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “Maybe it was the NLCS and the success he had in the postseason that made him feel really inspired to come in and be ready on Day 1 of camp. I noticed that he was the first one to drills. He was operating at a very fast pace, and it's translated into a really successful start.

"Last year at the break, he had numbers that would have indicated some consideration, but he didn't get it, and I think it really bothered him. And I know he's very motivated to change that.”

Arraez was the starter at second base for the NL last season, but this year, he has played first base since he was traded to the Padres on May 4. Marte, meanwhile, has ranked among the NL’s top 10 in WAR while being at or atop the leaderboard in Defensive Runs Saved.

“He's always had the toolbox,” D-backs first baseman Christian Walker said. “He’s always had the skill. What I see out of Ketel is the maturity to know and recognize that he can even get better. And he's putting in the work. He's doing the defensive reps, he's doing the stuff to be a good teammate, he’s doing things the right way.”

The push for Marte coincides with “Kids Free Weekend,” which started Friday and runs through Sunday’s game. Fans can get up to two free kids tickets (15 and younger) with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Saturday, the team is giving away a Ketel Marte bat flip bobblehead to the first 20,000 fans through the gates. The bobblehead commemorates Marte’s bat flip after he hit a home run in Game 3 of the NLDS last season.

Phase 2 of the All-Star Game voting will begin at 9 a.m. MST on Sunday and continue until 9 a.m. MST on Wednesday. During this three-day window, fans can vote only once per 24-hour period on MLB platforms for whom they want to see in the Midsummer Classic. Vote totals from Phase 1 don’t carry over.

The winners at each position (including three outfielders from each league) will be revealed on ESPN at 4 p.m. MST on July 3.