Tommy Troy’s Rise May Force the D-backs to Rethink Second Base

Top prospect Tommy Troy is knocking on the door, which could eventually lead to a new role for the D-backs' three-time All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte

The Arizona Diamondbacks face a franchise-altering decision with their MVP candidate over the next calendar year. Ketel Marte will turn 32 in October, and after inking another extension with the club, is under contract through 2031. He’s currently entrenched as the club’s starting second baseman, having started the previous two All-Star games for the National League, but the emergence of a top infielder prospect could force a change.

Barring a godfather offer built around frontline starting pitching, Marte isn’t going anywhere. General manager Mike Hazen has no incentive to trade his star second baseman unless the return resembles a Mason Miller-level package. Anything less than a massive overpay could alienate the fan base and put Hazen’s job as the club’s lead decision maker at risk.

However, that doesn’t mean Marte’s role as the everyday second baseman is secure in the long term. Infielder Tommy Troy, a second baseman by trade, was promoted to Triple-A Reno last week. With Troy now knocking on the door to the big leagues, the D-backs need to start discussing where he fits and what that means for Marte.

Who is Tommy Troy?

Tommy Troy was the D-backs’ top selection in the 2023 MLB Draft, selected 12th overall in what turned out to be a college-only draft class for Arizona. Troy signed an under-slot $4.4 million deal, with the idea he’d rocket through the system. That belief has held so far, as he’s reached Triple-A just two years after signing his first professional contract and could debut within three calendar years.

In his first year in the organization, they tried to develop him as a shortstop. That experiment failed so badly, they slid him to second base in 2025. While they’ve gotten him some looks in center field, all coming in the past month, 79 of his 88 starts have come at second. So it’s pretty evident the D-backs see him as a second baseman in the long-term view.

Troy’s coming off a strong run with Double-A Amarillo, slashing .286/.382/.467 with 12 home runs. His 125 wRC+ ranked fourth among players in the Texas League who appeared in 80 games this season. There’s no question he’s earned his promotion, one I considered long overdue.

Beyond solid production, Troy has drastically improved at the plate, despite advancing to a more challenging level. He’s dropped his strikeout rate by 5% (22.2% → 17.5%) and increased his walk rate by 2% (10.4% → 12.3%). Those two things happening simultaneously likely signal an improved approach at the plate.

It’s also showing up in his contact quality, as his ground ball rate dropped from 47.0% in Hillsboro to 41.6% in Amarillo. Simultaneously, his line drive rate has shot up by the same rate. We’re talking a sample of 1,475 pitches and 280 batted balls at Double-A with these changes, so it might not be enough to force a long-term decision regarding both Troy and Marte’s fit with the club.

With Troy’s projected debut set for some time during the 2026 season, those discussions certainly are going to become more focused in the D-backs organization starting this winter. As he gets roughly 35-40 games in Reno to close out the season, he has an opportunity to force some difficult conversations.

More Tommy Troy Coverage at D-backs Under Review

• Tommy Troy Keys Salt River's Berth to Arizona Fall League Championship

• D-backs Prospect Tommy Troy on Arizona Fall League Experience

• LuJames Groover and Tommy Troy Named Fall Stars

For free subscribers, the newsletter ends here. For paid subscribers, you can read more about Tommy Troy’s 2026 outlook and the solution to the playing time conundrum between him and Ketel Marte.