The Pittsburgh Pirates almost definitely have the fastest outfield in the major leagues, but they’re also making a case to have the best arms as well, especially Starling Marte.
While Gregory Polanco has also recently showed off his arm, making runners think twice about tagging up on him, Marte has shown the range and arm, which puts eyes on him at all times.
“Sitting out there in the bullpen when the game is going on, whatever ball is hit to Marte, it’s almost exciting to see what he’s going to do,” Jared Hughes said.
Hughes did praise the other outfielders and cited Andrew McCutchen as having the most accurate arm in baseball, however Marte leads the National Leagues with 15 outfield assists.
“All I can say is I stay aggressive, take the opportunity when the guy is running and make a good throw and stay focused,” said Marte.
Marte reached his 15th outfield assist on Sunday against the Dodgers and he has three in the past six days. The first of which he recorded by throwing out Tommy La Stella in the 11th inning of last Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs.
“I have to figure out who is hitting, how the swing is going and get the best position I can,” Marte said after that game. “If he hits it down the line, I know he’s going to second, so that’s why I stay more aggressive and take care of the ball quickly and throw it. Sometimes it just happens, but if you have a chance to make a throw, you make a throw.”
Marte is part of an outfield that has had a consistent success rate of eliminating runners that attempt to tag up, or holding runners on the bases, something that Hughes appreciates because it gives him another chance to get out of a jam when he is on the mound.
This was not always the case, however now it has become the norm with the Pirates outfield, with Marte leading the way.
“That’s good for us when they try though,” said Hughes. “It’s great to have them on our side, it provides a constant highlight reel.”
Many Pirates fans expressed their disappointment last season when Marte did not receive a Gold Glove Award, given to three outfielders following each season.
This year, the case for Marte will be hard to ignore.
“We’ve been working well before the game for this to happen,” Marte said. “I try to be better every day.”
Photo credit: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
