Aug 8, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Ketel Marte (4) blows a bubble as he runs into the dugout after getting the third out in the Texas Rangers seventh inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Mariners have entrusted a 25-man roster spot to 21-year-old rookie Ketel Marte, and so far he's delivered.
In 17 games with the M's since being recalled, Marte is hitting .283/.377/.350 with 17 base hits in 60 official at-bats. Perhaps more important than that stat line, Marte is also making a good impression on his manager, Lloyd McClendon.
As McClendon told Shannon Drayer of ESPN Seattle earlier in the week, he likes what he sees from Marte so far, even if his youth and inexperience have him a bit rough around the edges: "You cant teach instincts. It's something that's gifted. I can't harness it, I can't tell him how to feel or to think or when to take an extra base. It's just instinct. We need more players like that."
Drayer also noted that the M's will likely utilize Marte in center field in addition to around the infield as they look to see if he is fully ready for full-time MLB status.
If there's one area where he's definitely impressing McClendon, it's his throwing arm: "He's playing pretty good," McClendon told Drayer. "His arm plays quite well at this level. His arm is better than the reports that I heard."
It's only been a handful of games, but Ketel Marte is starting his major-league career pretty well all things considered.
(h/t My Northwest)
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