CINCINNATI (WXIX) – During the first few weeks of spring training, the players in Cincinnati Reds’ big league camp split up between two fields at the complex. On one field, there was Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain and the big league regulars. On the other, there were the prospects and the non-roster invitees.
Noelvi Marte was on the prospects field along with players like Ivan Johnson, Edwin Arroyo, Cam Collier, Sal Stewart and Cooper Bowman. Marte had been the Reds’ starting third baseman in 2024. But following a terrible season last year, Marte had very long way to go to get that post back.
Marte was reassigned to minor league camp relatively early in camp, and Terry Francona told Marte to earn his way back.
Five months later, Marte is leading the Reds to pivotal wins as the team tries to keep its playoff hopes alive. He’s the best development story of the Reds’ season.
“He’s understanding what it takes to be a Major League every day player,” Francona said. “His tools are just obvious. But he’s playing the game. He’s moving runners. He’s running down the line. I’m proud of him.”
On Sunday in a win over Arizona, Marte smoked a line drive to deep center field and turned it into a game-tying little league homer. On that play, he had an excellent read to get from second to third and forced a throwing error. Then in the eighth inning, Marte opened the frame with a single, reached second on a very impressive tag up on a sacrifice fly and scored the go-ahead run.
In all of MLB this season, there are eight players who are 23-or-younger, have 200+ big league plate appearances and have an OPS above .800: Nick Kurtz, Roman Anthony, Tyler Soderstrom, James Wood, Junior Caminero, Elly De La Cruz, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Marte.
While Marte has the fewest plate appearances in that group, he also has the second-best OPS among that group.
“(Marte) is taking a step forward in his career,” Jose Trevino said. “It’s not only this year, but for the future too. He’s doing a really good job.”
One of the best parts of baseball is when a young player puts the pieces together. Marte is taking that step during a pressure-filled point of the Reds’ season.
“I’m feeling my best right now,” Marte said via interpreter Tomas Vera. “My confidence level is through the roof right now. Better than it’s ever been.”
Marte earned the opportunity that he has now. He opened the season in Triple-A, and then the Reds then dealt with a run of short-term injuries early in the season. Marte got called up in early April to sit the bench for the week. On April 12, because the Reds were facing a left-hander and because Christian Encarnacion-Strand was out for the day with a back injury, Marte got a shot to play.
Marte had a great game and opened some eyes, but he was optioned to Triple-A a few days later as McLain returned from the IL. Encarnacion-Strand landed on the IL a few days after that, and Marte got another call up.
Over his first three games back in the big leagues, Marte only made one start. Then on April 20, Marte had five hits and seven RBI in a blowout win over the Orioles. He was on his way.
Marte became an every day player, but then he suffered a significant oblique strain in early May that kept him out for about two months. One of the most impressive aspects of his season was that he was able to carry the momentum that he was creating through a long IL stint. He hit the ground running when he returned in July.
Marte’s biggest test this season was his third base defense. He has never been a consistent thrower. Especially in July, he made bad throws in pivotal moments. Francona would pull Marte for defense late in games.
In the middle of July, Francona decided to give Marte a shot in the outfield. Marte still isn’t perfect in right field, but the move to the outfield was the next key step in Marte’s development.
“Maybe someone just needs a change of scenery,” TJ Friedl said. “It can be hard to get out of that one state, but then a change of scenery can just let you be your true self. What he has been doing for us has been incredible. He has put in so much work in right field. He has been that guy for us. It’s so fun to watch him play free, loose and do his thing.”
No one wants to be pulled for defense. Errors by an infielder on routine plays seem to weigh on a team more than errors by an outfielder (Marte’s misplay on a ball to right field on Sunday seemed to fly under the radar).
Moving Marte to the outfield took a lot of pressure off of his shoulders.
He knew that he’d get to play complete games, and he didn’t have to worry about his throws in the same way that he did when he played third base.
“Marte is super talented,” Gavin Lux said. “Freeing him up defensively from third and letting him go plan right field, run balls down and throw it home as hard as he can, it’s freed him up mentally. He’s an ultra talented hitter. Everyone is starting to see that. He’s going to be really special as he continues to mature.”
Nick Martinez also sees a direct connection between Marte’s move to the outfield and the confidence that he’s showing at the plate.
“It reignites the passion,” Martinez said. “(Moving to the outfield) reignited the growth mindset of wanting to get better. Marte wants to learn a new position and be the best right fielder he can be. That leaks into your at-bats.”
Since Marte permanently moved to the outfield, he was hitting .330 with an .880 OPS entering his two-hit day on Sunday. He’s making smart reads on the bases. The defense is a work on progress in the outfield. But it’s better, his arm strength and his speed have shown up on splash plays and Marte is already showing improvement in right field.
He’s still just a 23-year-old learning a new position. Sunday was his 162nd career game in the big leagues. He’s still growing. And he’s already a very good player.
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