The Reds called up infield prospect Noelvi Marte today, with the corresponding move of Kevin Newman placed on the 10-day injured list due to an oblique strain. Marte is already on Cincinnati’s 40-man roster but he will be making his major league debut as soon as he gets into a game. Robert Murray of Fansided was the first to report that Marte was on his way to the Show.
Marte, now 21, was a high-profile international signing of the Mariners. That club gave him a signing bonus of $1.55MM in 2018 and he quickly came to be regarded as one of the top prospects in their system. A strong professional debut in 2019 got him into top 100 territory, with Baseball America ranking him #92 in the league going into 2020.
With the pandemic wiping out the minor leagues in 2020, Marte and all other prospects missed a year of game action. But he got back on track with a solid showing in 2021, his first full professional season. He hit .273/.366/.459 between Single-A and High-A for a wRC+ of 118 while also stealing 24 bases. Going into 2022, he was considered the 18th-best prospect in the league by Baseball America, with FanGraphs having him in the #13 slot.
He came to the Reds midway through 2022 as part of the Luis Castillo trade, one of four young players that Cincinnati added to their system in that deal. Between the two organizations, he hit .279/.371/.458 at the High-A level for a wRC+ of 131. Despite those strong numbers, his prospect stock faded a bit. Baseball America dropped him to #63 overall going into 2023, noting that opposing pitchers were starting to realize they could exploit his weakness on breaking balls. He also started to move from shortstop to third base, diminishing his future value somewhat. FanGraphs expressed similar concerns in bumping him down to #91.
This year, he started at Double-A, hitting .281/.356/.464 at that level, swiping 10 bags in 50 games. He’s also hit .280/.365/.455 in 39 Triple-A games while racking up another eight steals. With the heightened offensive environment of the International League this year, that Triple-A line translates to a 105 wRC+, above-average but only slightly. Baseball America currently ranks him 52nd overall with FanGraphs at #71.
Regardless of the recent fluctuations in the evaluations from prospect watchers, this is yet another exciting young player promoted by the Reds in what is shaping up to be a remarkable season in that department. Given their recent struggles, few observers picked them to be competitive coming into the year. But they have been continually promoting one prospect after another, with Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Andrew Abbott all promoted for their debuts this year. Those players have joined other youngsters who had previously made it to the big leagues, such as Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Spencer Steer and many more.
That youth movement has shot the Reds into the postseason picture, as they are currently tied with the Marlins for the final Wild Card spot with about six weeks left on the schedule. Now they will add Marte into the mix and hope that he can add further fuel to the fire for the final playoff push. How he fits into the puzzle remains to be seen, as he’s primarily played shortstop and third base this year. De La Cruz will likely stick at short but Marte could perhaps take some time at the hot corner. Steer has been getting the bulk of playing time there lately but has also played some left field and could perhaps slot in there more often, taking playing time from Stuart Fairchild.
The timing of the promotion is worth noting, as Marte will likely retain rookie status going into 2024. Position players are considered rookies as long as they start a season with less than 130 at-bats and fewer than 46 days on a big league roster. There are now 44 days left until the end of the regular season, meaning Marte will still be a rookie next year as long as he falls shy of 130 at-bats.
That’s a significant distinction under the current collective bargaining agreement, as the Prospect Promotion Incentive can provide extra draft picks for clubs as a way to disincentive service time manipulation. A position player who had appeared on at least two Top 100 lists at BA, ESPN and MLB Pipeline the preceding offseason can earn his club a bonus draft choice if a) the team carries them on the MLB roster for a full service year and b) the player wins Rookie of the Year or finishes top three in MVP voting during his pre-arbitration seasons. It’s surely not a coincidence that Masyn Winn of the Cardinals and Nolan Schanuel of the Angels were both promoted as soon as they could have been while still having the ability to net their club an extra draft pick next year, with Marte now a third notable prospect promoted in recent days.
But that will be a concern for the future. In the interim, it’s yet another domino of the Reds’ incredible youth movement tipped over as they try to surge into the playoffs. With Marte joining the other young players on the roster, while pitchers like Greene and Lodolo are coming back from injuries, the fans in Cincinnati could be in for an exciting few weeks as well as a future that looks increasingly bright.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
welcome to Cincy hope you stay a while
More firepower Captain!!!
Another infielder…just what the Reds need.
I see the reds and blue jays making a trade this offseason. The jays need someone with a few years of controll to play either 2b/3b imo. Mayne the jays extend jansen and trade kirk, maybe theres some other deal but the jays should let chappy walk and trade for someone else
They are going to have to move at least two infielders, if not three. Steer is better in the infield, so counting him you have CES, India, McLain, Elly, Marte, Senzel, Steer, and Votto in the infield. Let’s assume Votto retires. Senzel is likely going to be non-tendered. That leaves six guys for four spots. I am not counting DH because having a full time DH is not usually the norm for most teams. I would assume India is wearing a different uniform in 2024, but they could surprise and move one of the other guys if they decide to keep India around for his leadership.
I could see quite a few teams having interest in India in the offseason. A lot more than needed him at the deadline since losing teams are more likely to add players in the off season. The Royals, White Sox, Tigers, Angels, Mariners, and Red Sox all stand out as teams that could use a young controlled guy like India at second. I could also see several other teams (Jays included) being involved very easily depending on other moves.
hiflew….oh wow…2 or 3 huh? you’re a very aggressive general manager!
That was counting Senzel. I think the best two to deal would be India and either CES or Steer. Getting back a vet starter and maybe a solid CF would be ideal. A package deal involving India and Brady Singer could work. For the CF I would look into the Diamondbacks. They have several young OFs and maybe a package deal involving Alek Thomas or Jake McCarthy and pieces for CES or Steer and pieces could be something worth looking into.
And yes I would be aggressive. Passive GMs stay in 4th place
Thank you! You better hope he’s better than Jasson Dominguez though? Lol. We’ll see.
Don’t forget the Reds got Arroyo in that deal as well.
Ok another shortstop; great! Will Arroyo be better then Marte though? Doubt it, it’s possible though. We’ll see.
I’m sure he is considering the Yankees are trying to trade him everywhere.
Noooooo! I’m actually glad the Yankees didn’t trade Dominguez in a package for Castillo, a lot of Yankee fans are happy about that, not just me.
You’re a troll and have been wrong on this for over a year
You’re a dummy, so back to sleep.
Who’s Dominguez?
Jasson Dominguez. You’ll hear about him next season, maybe after the All Star Break when he’s feasting on AAA pitching, and ready for the majors. The Reds could of gotten him in a package for Luis Castillo last season but wanted a whole bunch of shortstop prospects instead, not that there’s anything wrong with that.
I’m sorry… who?
lol hes not feasting on anything. Last I heard he was batting .200
@jt3z- If you think that Jasson Dominguez isn’t a prospect the Reds could of used then you’re just being delusional. Dominguez with his power, speed and defense could of helped Cincy for years to come. When the Reds were trading Castillo, this was the best prospect offered, and Cincy will definitely regret not trading for him in the long run, so you heard it here lst, tough guy.
The Yankees have all the best prospects, always, and they rightfully hoard them. They are set up beautifully for 2024 and beyond with all these can’t miss guys.
OpS of .765, 15Hr and 37sb to 130SO and 70 BB. Maybe a good comp/ceiling is juiced ball Ramon Laureano (2019) or peak Cddric Mullins (2021). Capable of 30hrs but likely to sit in the 15range. Plus speed and arm, avg contact and power, high strikeouts. Unless he takes a big leap forward the numbers just don’t bear out to the hype. Except the 31% SO rate. Yikes.
1-Where does Cincy play all these guys. It’s like they bring up someone new every week or two.
2-We need more articles, from just about every writer, complaining about how teams like Cincy are ruining the game, and that everyone needs to be more like NY.
Fraley / India appears to be out for longer so Steer will move to OF and Marte to 3rd I assume
exactly right bulldog
I feel like India’s days with the team are counting down at this point. Gotta believe he is dealt this offseason.
#1 is on the ball.
Steer is not an outfielder though he is better than Senzel in left. But it looks like they will make the same mistake with this move.
With Steer, EDLC, McLain, and CES in the infield, there is nowhere for him to play long term, something they should have addressed earlier in the minors if they are going to move one of them.
Again, team building is a weakness with this front office. It is not just accumulating prospects in the same position, neglecting orhers, and think it will somehow work out.
Shocking response
Yeah cause who wants many super athletic shortstops that can easily move to another position… atleast this ain’t the royals trying to start catchers at all 9 spots!
Robin Yount, Eric Davis, Gary Sheffield, Ernie Banks,Chipper Jones, Paul Monitor, Miguel Cabrera…………..yep all shortstops at one time in their careers.
Add Jacob DeGrom to that list
If you can play shortstop proficiently I think you can play about anywhere else on the diamond minus pitcher or catcher.
With Stephenson rotating between Catcher, 1st and DH that’s a very solid infield.
There are a whole lot of guys who proved that assumption false. This is real life, not a rotisserie league or The Show video game.
You couldn’t be more wrong if you tried.
Team building a weakness? Lol.
I would trade the entire Pirates 26-man roster today for EDLC, McLain, Steer, CES, Greene, Lodolo, Abbott, and Diaz. I’m hoping the Bucs’ youngsters can come back next year ready to perform at the level the Reds’ kids did this year. They are fun to watch.
What they are doing, is creating the close to ultimate team. A team where every player is capable of playing multiple positions. It’s actually quite genius..
Trading for shortstop prospects are totally understandable, since they are usually really good defensive players that you can eventually put all over the diamond, once they get to the big leagues. Marte for sure, definitely looks like the best of the bunch they got from the Mariners for Mr. Castillo. Everyone needs to be more like NY? Oh okay, so you’re just kidding? Lol.
Oh yeah. Moving all those shortstops around has done wonders for the Padres.
To be fair Kim and Tatis look great at 2B and in RF…. Moving SS’s to other defensive positions isn’t the Padres problem.
big-name shortstops are a different conundrum that young, athletic, not-yet-entirely-settled shortstops. ha-seong kim and fernando tatis provide huge pluses on defense away from SS still.
@hiflew- Who’s to say just because their having a bad year in 2023, that the Padres couldn’t win it all in 2024? They definitely have the talent to do so. We’ll see what happens.
As an M’s fan I’m very excited for Noelvi & Cinci fans. Hope he comes in and makes an impact like EDLC & Matty McLain.
Excited to see what kind of player this kid develops into. He was the big prize in the Castillo trade last summer.
Yeah man you should be excited, Marte definitely looks like he could be the real deal. I just wonder who will be a better major leaguer: Dominguez or Marte? Remains to be seen.
That’s really a non argument. If you want to blame anyone for that non trade, blame Cash. There was an article in the Cincinnati Enquirer a week after the deadline last year saying that Cash talked down to Krall in their initial discussions like he was the boss and Krall would accept what he offered or else, which was Dominguez. They never spoke again for the two weeks prior to the deadline. We soaked you for Sonny Gray, thank you very much, but we have no need for your NY media overrated ballplayers..
@titantic struggle- The Reds will regret not trading Luis Castillo in a package for Jasson Dominguez, not the Yankees. I feel Luis Castillo is not the pitcher the Yankees really needed. Castillo is not an ace, but could be a solid #2 or #3 on a good team. When you look at this Reds team now Dominguez an outfield with power, speed, and great defense that is exactly what Cincinnati needs right now to go past to the next level. Cincy will strongly regret not trading for him, and he is a star that will help the Yankees some time next season, so excited he’s still here truthfully!
“The Reds will regret not trading Luis Castillo in a package for Jasson Dominguez, not the Yankees.”
Cause the Yankees starting pitching is so superb? Or the Reds need a outfield prospect with a 31% strikeouts rate? Please clarify?
@CO- if you we’re watching the Yankees this season you would realize they’re problem wasn’t starting pitching, like it is now. The big problem this season was they weren’t scoring enough runs. The Reds need an outfield prospect like Dominguez. Regardless I’m glad he’s still with the Yankees. Luis Castillo is a really good pitcher, just not an ace.
The IF picture for years to come: CES 1B, McLain 2B, Marte 3B & EDLC SS.
That is one hell of a young, athletic, and promising Infield. Very Cool to see this taking shape.
I just hope he can get enough at bats to develop properly.
They’ll likely also mix in Steer at 1B/3B with CES often at DH.
EDLC’s best spot might be CF or RF.. take the wear and tear off his body.. doesn’t get blown up at second base on a turn.. and can use both his wheels and that great arm.. No one in baseball has his set of tools and the ability to apply them..
EDLC’s arm is actually a pretty good argument for putting him at 3B with Marte & McLain in the middle infield. Not sure about the injury risk being any less in CF than SS.
Marte has a great arm too. I watched him a lot in the Seattle org and I always saw him as a 3B because of the footwork and instincts but who knows
Reds vs O’s World Series 2025!!!
Be there!!!
Could be this year…
Reds v Mariners in World Series 2025!
Looks like the Reds believe in bringing ‘em all up and sorting ‘em all out later. So far Abbott and McLain look like the real deal, while de la Cruz and Encarnacion-Strand (the alphabet guys) have taken some lumps as the league figures them out.
But Encarnacion-Strand’s walkoff blast last night was, well, a blast.
Right now EDLC is the least impressive of the bunch as far making adjustments in the Show.
Does that mean he won’t? Not necessarily but his ego is in the way so far. I hope that doesn’t mean he doesn’t take instruction well. Everyone in the Show has talent.
Ego? What makes you say that?
Soon Reds will have 8 infielders to play at every position
The infield roster crunch is happing, this is my guess to the final results. India probably being traded in the offseason.
1B CES, 2B McLain, 3B Marte, SS EDLC
LF Benson, CF Friedl, RF Steer, OF Fraley (can cover all 3)
The Reds also have a less dramatic OF roster crunch starting in 24. Dunn is destroying AA, with Hurtubise and Hinds also looking too good to remain minor leaguers for much longer. Should be fun to be a Reds fan for some time.
Thats alot of unproven youth to depend on…
Hinds has very poor K/BB rate. He needs a dramatic improvement there to be a viable MLer.
They’ll be decent if they refuse the club option on Joey Mendoza Votto and watch him try to convince another team to pay him 25 mil.
They will definitely refuse the option but I would not be surprised if they resigned him on a smaller team-friendly deal so he can retire as a Red.
Unless it’s a team friendly 20 bucks a game, it’s time to move on. That division will be hyper competitive for years with four of the top five farm systems in baseball. Sure they’ll have the cellar dweller cardinals to kick around for the next decade, but moving on from Votto and using that money elsewhere keeps them competitive with the Cubs.
There should still be plenty of money available and be able to keep Votto. He is playing well enough to bring back. Not at $25m, but $10-15m out of respect. Even if they pay him $15m, what’s their payroll at? $50m after arbitration? They should theoretically have $70m more to spend just to reach $120 (not even a franchise record).
They had 50 million to spend last offseason and didn’t. They didn’t add at the deadline either. You think that is changing?
Votto hasn’t looked outmatched and has displayed some impressive power. I doubt you’d guess right who has higher SLG than him. It isn’t the guys who have more HR than him, who Votto may very well catch up to. 30+ RBI in 150 ABs is a credible ML hitter.
The time wasn’t right to spend it. No one in their right mind thought they stood a chance going into this season. Call them cheap if they don’t spend this coming off-season.
Votto is the type to get out on his own if he thinks he doesn’t have it anymore.
I actually wonder if this is his last year. He seems to be having extrs fun with these young guys and has been talking about after playing at times. Just a feeling.
I wouldn’t be shocked if he stayed around as a coach though. He was also interesting on TV when he was out after surgery.
Bob has spent $$ on the team EVERY TIME the team has turned the corner and became competitive. What makes you think this will be different?
Votto has connected on a few and looked overmatched on a lot more than normal. He looks his age, which is not good.
Team should just rename themselves to the Cincinnati Rooks!
You realize he is like 2nd or 3rd in at bats per HR. Olson is at 1 per 10.5. Votto at 1 per 11.6.
You realize he’s been a .200 hitter for the past two years? You realize how terrible he is in between those HRs? It’s time. They can present him with a plaque, a nice tie, or some new golf clubs on the last day of the season, but he no longer belongs in mlb
We’ll see what my Ms gave up
Looks like Steer gets booted to LF.
This guy is awesome, Reds are loaded, a lot of guys will be gone when their contracts are up but the next couple of years should be fun
Reds have unlimited prospects lol. Very fun team, I love it as a baseball fan
Cincinnati world series within the next 5 years ?
@Ryder or Wrong- Noooo! Not without getting Jasson Dominguez, he could have really helped. I say Cincy will get to a World Series, in maybe 7 years, and just come up short. Lolololololol!!!
They will reach the Series in 2 years, Captain!
Lodolodolodolo!!!!
Hey Pirates, take notes and use multi color stickies! You don’t need to tank yearly when developing talent properly.