PHOENIX — After an outstanding season that saw him hit a career-high 36 home runs and knock in a career-high 95 runs, Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte has been named a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award, MLB announced Monday.
The Hank Aaron Award has been given out for the past 25 years to "the most outstanding regular season offensive performer in each league," according to MLB.
The winners will be determined by a fan vote combined with a vote from a panel of MLB legends that includes Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, Albert Pujols, Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, Johnny Bench, Craig Biggio, Eddie Murray and Robin Yount.
The 10 finalists for both the National League and the American League were determined by a panel of journalists from MLB.com. Here's a look at the finalists.
National League
- Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks
- William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers
- Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds
- Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
- Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies
- Francisco Lindor, New York Mets
- Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres
- Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves
American League
- Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros
- Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
- Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles
- Anthony Santander, Baltimore Orioles
- Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
- Juan Soto, New York Yankees
- José Ramírez, Cleveland Guardians
- Brent Rooker, Oakland Athletics
- Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals
Fans can vote for the winner through Sunday, Oct. 13 at MLB.com/aaron.
The winner will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 14 during the All-MLB Team Show on MLB Network.
Past winners of the Hank Aaron Award that are included in this year's finalists include Shohei Ohtani in 2023, Aaron Judge in 2022, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bryce Harper in 2021 and Freddie Freeman in 2020.
First baseman Paul Goldschmidt won the award when he played for the Diamondbacks in 2013.
The Hank Aaron Award was created in 1999 to honor the 25th anniversary of the Hall of Fame slugger breaking Babe Ruth's record for most home runs in MLB history. MLB celebrated the 50th anniversary of Aaron's record-breaking 715th home run earlier this season.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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