The Reds introduced a collection of camp cuts Monday, essentially the most notable being that infielder Noelvi Marte has been optioned to Triple-A Louisville, through Pat Brennan of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Additionally they optioned right-handers Yosver Zulueta and Connor Phillips in addition to infielder/outfielder Tyler Callihan advert outfielder Rece Hinds.
The information isn’t particularly shocking however highlights how far Marte’s inventory has fallen up to now 12 months. He had been a high 100 prospect for years as he ascended the minor leagues after which had a torrid begin to his huge league profession. The Reds, who acquired the prospect as a part of the July 2022 trade that despatched Luis Castillo to Seattle, first promoted Marte in the course of August 2023. He took 123 plate appearances as that season was winding down, hitting .316/.366/.456.
That was inflated by a .384 batting common on balls in play that didn’t make it appear wholly sustainable, however Marte was solely 21 years outdated on the time and had a prolonged monitor file of hitting within the minors. Whereas some regression might have been anticipated, it was nonetheless hoped that he may take the third base job in Cincinnati and run with it.
Sadly, it’s been all downhill since then. Marte was hit with an 80-game suspension simply over a 12 months in the past, on March 8 of 2024, after testing constructive for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenone. He was reinstated in late June final 12 months however hit a dismal .210/.248/.301 for the Reds after that. His 3.7 p.c stroll fee and 31 p.c strikeout fee final 12 months have been each terrible numbers. He has obtained 22 plate appearances this spring, hanging out in 36.4 p.c of these whereas solely strolling at a 4.5 p.c clip, resulting in a .150/.182/.400 line.
The Reds understandably don’t really feel they’ll depend on Marte to face huge league pitching proper now, so he’ll head to minors and attempt to get again on monitor. For what it’s value, the strikeout and stroll profile was much better till lately. From 2019-23, he stepped to the plate 1,729 occasions within the minors. He walked in 11 p.c of these and was solely punched out at a 20.2 p.c clip. Within the majors in 2023, his 6.5 p.c stroll fee was a bit under common however his 20.3 p.c strikeout fee was stable.
It’s solely been because the PED suspension that Marte has had such pronounced struggles on the plate. Whereas it’s clearly been a tough 12 months, he’s nonetheless younger, having simply turned 23 in October. Maybe being away from the big-league highlight may help him get proper once more. By way of service time, he didn’t accumulate any whereas suspended and is presently at 139 days, a bit shy of the one-year mark. He’ll recover from that one-year line if he’s recalled for at the least 33 days throughout the 2025 season.
As for the third base job in Cincinnati, MLBTR recently took a look at a number of the choices. It’s attainable that Jeimer Candelario finally ends up taking the majority of the taking part in time there, however he may be at first base or within the designated hitter slot. That would enable for gamers like Gavin Lux, Christian Encarnacion-Strand or Santiago Espinal to get a while there as nicely.
