Each year, MLB The Show delivers its share of meta-defining cards—players who reshape lineups, strategies, and even how ranked games are played. In MLB The Show 25, that trend continues stronger than ever with an influx of elite switch-hitters. Recent content drops have brought fan favorites like Chipper Jones, Elly De La Cruz, José Ramírez, and a variety of 99-overall legends and flashbacks. But among all the heavy hitters and hyped releases, one new card stands out in a way that has the entire community buzzing: the newest 99 OVR Ketel Marte.

If you thought Ketel’s previous 99s were strong, this latest version might genuinely be the best Marte card the franchise has ever seen—one that could immediately slot into the best switch-hitting builds in Diamond Dynasty. Between the stats, the swing, MLB 25 Stubs, and the way he plays in-game, many players are already calling him a top-five infielder in the entire cycle.

Let’s break down why this new Ketel Marte is such a big deal, how he compares to the other top switch hitters in MLB The Show 25, how recent content drops like the Weekend Classic further shake up the meta, and what players should expect in the coming weeks.

The Switch-Hitting Meta: Why These Cards Matter More in MLB The Show 25

Switch hitters have always been valuable in The Show, but in MLB The Show 25, they are more important than ever. With pitching being stronger, meta off-speed being more deceptive, and lefty-righty splits becoming more punishing on extreme cards, the value of being able to ignore matchup disadvantages is enormous.

Players like:

Chipper Jones

Elly De La Cruz

Francisco Lindor

Ozzie Albies

Wander Franco

Jorge Polanco

Adley Rutschman

…have already defined the early-cycle lineups. The ability to switch sides at the plate against any matchup gives users consistent PCI size, more forgiving timing windows, fewer bad splits, and—especially online—a stable approach that doesn’t force awkward substitutions in tense situations.

But even among this year’s deep roster of elite switch hitters, the new 99 Ketel Marte stands out.

The 99 OVR Ketel Marte: Why This Might Be His Best Card Ever

Ketel Marte has quietly been one of the most consistently strong Diamond Dynasty cards for years. His swing is clean and quick, his fielding animations feel smooth, and his positional flexibility is always a major selling point. But this newest version—the freshly released 99—is on another level entirely.

1. Elite, Endgame Batting Attributes

This Marte card features:

High contact vs both sides (mid- to high-110s depending on quirks)

Power in the 100+ range vs both sides

A top-tier clutch rating, which matters more than ever due to the new PCI-shrink mechanics on pitcher pressure

Excellent vision, reducing the swing-and-miss penalty that frustrates weaker hitters

Power quirks that activate often, giving him boosted exit velos

This combination makes him one of the most well-rounded offensive switch hitters available—not just early in the game, but potentially all year.

2. A Near-Perfect Swing Plane

Marte has what many call a “glitchy swing”—quick load, compact follow-through, and a natural uppercut that matches the game’s meta pitches (sweepers, cutters, high heat). Some swings in The Show simply play better than their stats, and Ketel’s is absolutely in that category.

This is especially helpful against:

High outlier pitchers

Meta sweeper-sinker combos

Deceptive lefty deliveries

Users report consistently barreling pitches they usually struggle with using other hitters.

3. Fielding and Positional Versatility

The new 99 Ketel Marte can play:

Second Base (Primary)

Shortstop

Center Field

Left Field

Right Field

This kind of flexibility is incredibly valuable for players who shuffle lineups for events, ranked, or specific chemistry boosts.

His fielding is in the mid-90s, with strong reaction and improved arm strength compared to earlier versions. While he won’t replace elite primary shortstops like Rollins or Lindor defensively, he’s absolutely reliable in any infield spot—and he becomes a top-tier second baseman immediately.

4. Perfect for the “Set & Forget” Slot

Given his switch-hitting, his maxed attributes, his flexibility, and his swing, this card is the ultimate “lock him into your lineup for the next two months” kind of player. Some hitters fade over time as better cards release; Ketel’s skillset should hold strong deep into the game’s lifespan.

How He Compares to the Best Switch Hitters in MLB The Show 25

Let’s compare Marte to some of the other big names.

Ketel Marte vs. Chipper Jones

Chipper has better power and third-base defense.

Marte has:

A faster swing

Better fielding range at middle-infield positions

More versatility

Winner for flexibility: Marte

Ketel Marte vs. Elly De La Cruz

Elly has unmatched raw tools: elite speed, power, and cannon arm.

Marte has:

A better swing

Much higher contact

More consistency in online play

Winner for pure hitting reliability: Marte

Ketel Marte vs. José Ramírez (Weekend Classic)

The new Weekend Classic José Ramírez is amazing on paper, but players are already commenting that his dreadlocks create visual lag and swing timing issues, similar to past cards with heavy hair physics.

Offensively, José is insane.

But Marte has:

A smoother, cleaner swing

No visual lag

Better fielding options

Winner for competitive players: Marte

The Weekend Classic Drop: How it Changes the Marketplace and Lineups

The new 99 Ketel Marte didn’t arrive alone. The latest Weekend Classic reward program shook up the content ecosystem, offering powerful cards like:

99 José Ramírez

99 David Wright

99 Signature Series pitchers

Flashback bosses with high quirks

These programs have done two things:

Flood the market with new high-end switch hitters, increasing competition in the infield.

Introduce some of the strongest reward cards all year, making events more valuable to grind.

But even with José Ramírez being a fan favorite and often considered a top-tier switch hitter, that reported “dread lag” issue is giving many players pause. If J-Ram’s timing window feels off and Marte’s is smooth as butter, the decision becomes easy.

And for players who won their first Weekend Classic game—like the content creator referenced in your snippet—the reward cards are especially impactful. If you're stacking switch hitters, Marte and J-Ram together form one of the most potent 1–2 punches in the game.

How the New Ketel Marte Fits Into the Evolving MLB The Show 25 Meta

Every cycle of MLB The Show has a point where the meta changes—when the average hitter becomes stronger, pitcher stamina feels slightly less punishing, and more quirks activate. MLB The Show 25 is entering that phase now.

Here’s how Marte fits:

1. Ranked Seasons Lineups

Expect to see him slotted at:

2B, where he may be the #1 option

SS, if you prefer a pure offensive lineup

CF, for players wanting switch flexibility in the outfield

2. Events

Since many events favor middle-infield depth, Marte is often:

The most used second baseman

A top three shortstop choice

3. Battle Royale

If he appears in a BR program or selection round, he becomes:

A must-draft player every single time

4. Road to the Show / Franchise

Casual players benefit as much as competitive ones—Marte’s hitting animations simply make him satisfying to use in any mode.

Will This Be an Endgame Card? The Longevity Outlook

While it’s too early in the MLB The Show 25 lifecycle to label any non-Special Edition card as truly endgame, this 99 Ketel Marte has several things going for him:

Maxed switch hitting

No split weakness

Great quirks

High clutch

Smoothest swing among switch hitters

Multi-positional flexibility

Strong defense

Those traits age well.

Some cards—like early-cycle Power hitters—get eclipsed by juiced Signature Series or Finest cards later. But versatile switch hitters with elite contact almost always remain useful, especially in Events and Ranked Seasons with attribute restrictions.

Marte’s chances of staying relevant deep into the game cycle are extremely high.

Final Verdict: The Best Switch-Hitting Card in MLB The Show 25? Quite Possibly

When the community calls a new card a “banger,” there’s a reason—and this new 99 OVR Ketel Marte deserves every bit of that praise. Between the swing, the stats, the fielding, the versatility, and the role he plays in a switch-hitter-dominated meta, he might genuinely be the most complete card in the game right now, buy MLB The Show 25 Stubs.

Players who have tested him are already slotting him into their God Squad lineups. Many are calling him the best Ketel Marte card ever. And given how well he fits the current online environment—where timing, PCI forgiveness, and matchup consistency matter more than ever—it’s easy to understand why.

If you're looking to upgrade your roster, create a switch-hitting superteam, or simply add a reliable and elite middle-infield bat, the new 99 Ketel Marte is a must-get card. And with recent Weekend Classic drops providing even more high-end talent, MLB The Show 25 is entering one of its most exciting periods of the year.

Expect to see Marte in nearly every competitive lineup going forward—and don’t be surprised if he stays there for months to come.