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Back in 2022, Noelvi Marte finished at 11th overall on MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list. In 2023, he hit .279 in the minors with 35 extra-base hits (11 HR) in 92 games, earning himself a promotion to the big league club.
His debut with the Reds would be a success, hitting .316 while displaying power (seven 2B, three HR), speed (six SB), and solid bat-to-ball skills (20.3% K% vs 22.7% league avg.) over 35 games (114 AB).
Marte's 80-game PED suspension to begin 2024 threw cold water on all the excitement that came along with being a top prospect who was a multi-category fantasy producer in a potent young lineup, however, he's eligible to return June 27th and could be a potential fantasy contributor again very soon.
Noelvi Marte Prospect Update for Fantasy Baseball
As mentioned, Marte is eligible to return in a few days. So he's an immediate add, right? Not so fast. He would be if he weren't struggling so mightily at Triple-A, so he likely needs more time to kick off the rust. So far, the 22-year-old is 7-for-45 (.156) and is in the midst of an 0-for-13 stretch over his last three games. He's also striking out at an alarming rate of 28.9%, the highest level he's seen since an eight-game debut at High-A back in 2021. Further depressing his results is the fact that he's not drawn a single walk in 45 plate appearances during this rehab assignment.
Bats take an early lead in Omaha on Noelvi Marte's RBI single!
T3: Bats 1, Storm Chasers 0 pic.twitter.com/FANkDaSsMh
— Louisville Bats (@LouisvilleBats) June 18, 2024
Is there any hope? Sure, of course there is when you have his pedigree. Also, to hit a baseball successfully is a hard thing to do, and it's a long season full of ups and downs. Right now Marte is cold, but who knows, it might take a bloop single to get him out of this funk. A couple of his hits have had exit velocities of 105 mph, so there is still some power in that bat, too.
Noelvi Marte Outlook for Fantasy Baseball
While Marte isn't producing right now, the Reds could use a productive bat in the lineup, so any signs of life might prompt a return to the big league club. Even though the Reds are currently last in the NL Central, all but the Brewers are under .500 in that division, leaving the Reds just 7.5 games out of first. They're also just 2.5 games out of the Wild Card race, so if they want to compete for a playoff berth, they'll need to turn the offense up a notch. With Matt McLain not due back until August and with Christian Encarnacion-Strand potentially done for the year, the Reds need help.
Noelvi Marte starts his first game at SS, after 4 games at 3b and 1 at DH, on this rehab assignment. He also played a single inning at 2b. https://t.co/egxX9w8Gzw
— RedsFanMan (@CinciRedsFanMan) June 18, 2024
It should be noted that Marte has also seen a start at shortstop and played an inning at second base during his rehab stint. His main position will be third, but any added versatility will make him even more appealing to both the Reds and to fantasy managers. The Dominican was available in over 90% of leagues a couple of weeks ago, but that number has crept lower with that number now standing at 75%. He's worth a stash in deeper leagues for now in hopes he'll return to some semblance of his 2023 self, and if he gets hot he'd be an add in all leagues.
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