Noelvi Marte, MLB’s top prospect, burst onto the scene with the Cincinnati Reds last year after being called up late in the season.
The infielder made his MLB debut on August 19, giving Reds fans reason to be optimistic about the team’s short- and long-term future.
Marte, 22, was the Reds’ top prospect entering this season with a .316 batting average and .822 OPS in 35 games, ranking him 21st in all of baseball.
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Noelvi Marte of the Cincinnati Reds heads to the dugout between innings during a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona. (Aaron Doster/Getty Images)
But the Reds will have to change their plans for Opening Day and this summer.
Marte tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and was suspended for 80 games.
Marte signed with the Seattle Mariners from the Dominican Republic in July 2018 for a $1.55 million bonus. He was traded to the Reds in July 2022, along with three other prospects, for All-Star right-hander Luis Castillo.
According to the rules, the first violation will result in an 80-game suspension, and the second violation will result in a full season suspension. If the third test is positive, the player will be banned for life.
Cincinnati Reds player Noelvi Marte reacts to being called out at home plate during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on September 30, 2023. (Dilip Vishwanath/Getty Images)
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Marte is expected to be the Reds’ starting third baseman this season, joining a core of young Cincinnati players that includes Elie Delacruz, Matt McClain, Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand.
Last year, the Reds had perhaps their most impressive season in a while. They won 82 wins and 80 losses, and were in first place in the National League Central Division in early August. The team was officially eliminated from postseason contention on the penultimate night of the regular season. Just two years after winning 83 games, the Reds were expected to finish well below .500, shocking just about everyone.
Elie Delacruz (left) and Noelvi Marte of the Cincinnati Reds laugh during a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland on September 26, 2023. (Nick Cammet/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
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But the Reds continue to seek their first postseason appearance in a non-COVID-19 season since 2013, when they lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League wild-card game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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