When tracking baseball's resurgence in Western Pennsylvania during the mid-2010s, talk often focuses on Andrew McCutchen. However, the key to those wild card teams’ edge was Santo Domingo's Starling Javier Marte. Signed from the Dominican Republic as a free agent in 2007, Marte entered the majors with extraordinary physical talents. He played with a fierce, high-energy style, combining speed, power, and fearless defense, becoming one of the most dynamic outfielders of the modern PNC Park era.
His introductory appearance midway through the 2012 campaign constituted an immediate shock to the system, marked by a historic first-pitch home run in his very first major league at-bat. From 2013 to 2016, Marte transformed baseline volume into a consistent regular-season performer, achieving four consecutive seasons with no fewer than 140 hits. He developed a highly effective, high-velocity approach at the plate that yielded 53 home runs over that four-year period, culminating in a remarkable 2016 season during which he achieved a career-high batting average of .311, thus earning his first National League All-Star selection.
Focusing solely on Marte’s offensive stats overlooks his remarkable defensive performance on the field. Starting in left field with McCutchen and later moving to center, Marte turned his area into a death zone for extra-base hits. Using exceptional tracking skills and a powerful throwing arm, he consistently disrupted opposing third-base coaches, earning consecutive Gold Gloves in 2015 and 2016, as well as the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Tragically, his steady rise encountered a significant obstacle before the 2017 season. Marte tested positive for Nandrolone, leading to an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, which caused considerable controversy and temporarily tarnished his reputation.
Showing deep competitive resilience upon his return, he immediately set about rebuilding his profile. He swiped 21 bases over the remainder of that shortened summer, following it up with consecutive 20-plus steal campaigns to stretch an incredible streak of seven straight seasons with at least 20 stolen bases.
With his contract coming due, Marte was traded to Arizona after the 2019 Season, leaving his numbers as a Pirate at .287 with 1,047 Hits, 108 Home Runs, and 239 Stolen Bases.