GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Mark your calendars for April 11, Reds fans. That’s the day Cincinnati will hand out Noelvi Marte bobbleheads as they face off against the Los Angeles Angels. For many, it’s a fun collectible, but for Marte, it’s a powerful reminder of his journey.
Reflecting on his path, Marte shared, “When you see things like that, you think back to tough times. It reminds me how things can change. After challenges, there’s always something good if you work for it.”
At 24, Marte is now poised to be the Reds’ go-to right fielder in 2026. Just a year ago, the idea of a Marte bobblehead seemed far-fetched.
He was the centerpiece of a major 2022 trade with the Mariners, which saw Luis Castillo head to Seattle. Marte made a splash in his big-league debut, hitting .316 with an .822 OPS, and was seen as the Reds’ third baseman of the future.
But the 2024 season brought a major setback with an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.
Upon returning, Marte struggled at the plate, hitting just .210, and was quickly cut from the roster. However, his resilience shone through.
When called up after Matt McLain’s injury, Marte played only three games before being sent back to Triple-A Louisville. Rather than taking his time, he immediately joined the team on the road, showing his dedication.
Originally a shortstop, Marte moved to third base due to the Reds’ depth in that position. Initially solid, his defense faltered post-suspension.
Yet, last season, he began to find his groove again, hitting .272 in his first 30 games back. Despite offensive improvements, fielding remained a challenge.
After the All-Star break, Marte began transitioning to the outfield, working hard before games to adapt. By the series finale against the Mets, he was ready to take on right field, allowing the Reds to trade for Gold Glove third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes.
Reds center fielder TJ Friedl was there to support Marte, acknowledging the difficulty of the transition but recognizing his potential. Friedl even compared Marte to Fernando Tatis Jr., praising his arm strength and athleticism.
Though Marte has faced some challenges this spring, particularly with Arizona’s tricky skies, he’s also shown flashes of brilliance. Now using his own outfield glove, he’s made impressive plays alongside hitting his second homer of the spring.
One unforgettable moment came last fall when Marte made a game-saving catch against the Pirates, preserving a crucial 2-1 victory and keeping the Reds’ playoff hopes alive. That catch was ranked as the eighth-best play of the season by MLB Network and inspired the first of nine bobbleheads to be given out this year.
Marte may not have seen the bobblehead yet, but he’s certainly watched his highlight-reel catch plenty of times. “I watch everything - home runs, catches, everything,” he said. “Last night, I was watching the video of the catch.”
Keep an eye on Marte this season. His journey is far from over, and he’s just getting started.