The Arizona Diamondbacks are hanging on for dear life in the NL Wild Card race, as they have lost some ground in the standings amid the San Diego Padres' recent hot streak. But as long as the season is still going, there is hope for the Diamondbacks to make it to the postseason considering that they have quite the talented core.
Of course, the Diamondbacks' biggest star is Corbin Carroll, who just so happened to be the one to hit the walk-off home run on Tuesday that gave them an 8-7 comeback victory over the Miami Marlins. But Carroll, at least by fWAR standards, hasn't been the best position player for Arizona this season â with that honor belonging to 26-year-old catcher Gabriel Moreno (Moreno has 4.7 WAR, Carroll has 4.3).
The stats may not jump off the page for the Diamondbacks catcher. Even then, Greg Amsinger of MLB Network said that Moreno should get more love in the NL MVP race. In fact, Amsinger believes he should finish third in the voting, behind Pete Crow-Armstrong and Shohei Ohtani.
âÂÂThere's value in helping your team win the game. And it's the nuance that goes behind it. I think Gabriel Moreno of the Arizona Diamondbacks should be considered in the third MVP spot. What Gabriel Moreno is doing right now for a team that's scrapping and clawing â that nuance matters to me,â Amsinger said on MLB Now.
Article Continues Below"I think Gabriel Moreno should be considered in the third spot for NL MVP."
Greg Amsinger shares his thoughts on how award winners are evaluated and the need for nuance. pic.twitter.com/7HbkJ1YGgo
â MLB Now (@MLBNow) September 16, 2026
Moreno, entering play on Wednesday against the Marlins, has 14 home runs and 74 runs batted in to his name, which is not too shabby. But these numbers don't exactly scream MVP-level player.
But it's his defense and leadership behind the dish that has made him a quality player over the past few seasons to begin with. Add that to the leap he made on offense (he is posting a career-best .856 OPS), and perhaps he does deserve more consideration than most give him.
If the Diamondbacks somehow make it to the postseason, Moreno might indeed get more love from MVP voters.

