JUST IN: Cincinnati Reds Lose One of Their Best Young Players to Shocking Suspension
In a stunning development, the Cincinnati Reds will be deprived of their anticipated starting third baseman, Noelvi Marte, for a significant portion of the season as he faces an 80-game suspension for a violation related to performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), as announced on Friday.
Reds infielder Noelvi Marte suspended 80 games for PED violation
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 8, 2024
This surprising revelation was reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post:
“Reds infielder Noelvi Marte suspended 80 games for PED violation.”
Marte, who showcased his talent during his major league debut in 2023, played 35 games for the Reds, boasting a .316 batting average with three home runs, 15 RBIs, and six stolen bases.
His absence from the lineup does alleviate the infield logjam for Cincinnati. Consequently, they can now deploy Jeimer Candelario at third base, Elly De La Cruz at shortstop, and Matt McLain at second base, with the possibility of rotating Jonathan India or Christian Encarnacion-Strand at first base.
Despite his suspension, Marte maintains his standing as the No. 21 overall prospect in baseball and retains the top spot in the organization, as he hasn’t yet met the criteria to graduate from the MLB Top 100 prospect list.
As described in his MLB.com prospect profile, Marte, at 22 years old for the entirety of the 2024 season, continues to exhibit growth as a player, particularly in his offensive consistency. Last season, he demonstrated improvement in making better swing decisions, particularly after his promotion to Triple-A, displaying adaptability that ultimately earned him a call-up to the majors.
Known for his ability to limit strikeouts and draw walks in the minors, Marte possesses considerable raw power, primarily manifesting to his pull side, but with a demonstrated capability to drive the ball to all areas of the field.